The White House says President Barack Obama is open to having bilateral talks with Iran about the Islamic republic’s nuclear program, but no such negotiations are currently scheduled.
Spokesman Jay Carney said on October 23 that the Obama administration is "open to pursuing negotiations if and when the Iranians are serious about having negotiations."
Both the U.S. and Iran earlier denied a "New York Times" report saying the United States and Iran had agreed in principle to negotiations.
During a presidential campaign debate with his rival Mitt Romney on October 22, Obama said he has for a long time offered to Iran the possibility of bilateral discussions.
Obama also said U.S.-backed international sanctions had begun to "cripple" Iran’s economy, leading to a sharp drop in the value of the Iranian currency and plunging oil production.
Spokesman Jay Carney said on October 23 that the Obama administration is "open to pursuing negotiations if and when the Iranians are serious about having negotiations."
Both the U.S. and Iran earlier denied a "New York Times" report saying the United States and Iran had agreed in principle to negotiations.
During a presidential campaign debate with his rival Mitt Romney on October 22, Obama said he has for a long time offered to Iran the possibility of bilateral discussions.
Obama also said U.S.-backed international sanctions had begun to "cripple" Iran’s economy, leading to a sharp drop in the value of the Iranian currency and plunging oil production.