U.S. Says No Direct Talks With Iran

The White House has denied a New York Times report that the Obama administration has agreed to hold one-on-one talks with Iran on its nuclear program.

In a statement, National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said the United States would continue to work with fellow permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany to resolve the issue.

Vietor also reiterated the U.S. position that Washington in principle is ready to meet with Iran as well.

The newspaper later said the agreement was "in principle."

The report comes two days before President Barack Obama is due to face Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in a debate focused on foreign policy.

Tehran denies Western charges it is secretly pursuing a nuclear weapons program.

Sanctions both by the UN and by individual countries have been slapped on Iran to urge Tehran to curb its uranium enrichment program.

Based on AP and Reuters reporting