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US denies Iran nuclear talks New York Times report | US denies Iran nuclear talks New York Times report |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The White House has denied a report in the New York Times saying that Iran had agreed to one-on-one negotiations over its nuclear programme with the US. | The White House has denied a report in the New York Times saying that Iran had agreed to one-on-one negotiations over its nuclear programme with the US. |
The report, quoting unnamed officials, said Iran had agreed to the talks for the first time but would not hold them until after US elections on 6 November. | The report, quoting unnamed officials, said Iran had agreed to the talks for the first time but would not hold them until after US elections on 6 November. |
The White House said it was prepared to meet Iran bilaterally, but that there was no plan to do so. | The White House said it was prepared to meet Iran bilaterally, but that there was no plan to do so. |
Western states think Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, something it denies. | Western states think Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, something it denies. |
Iran has been a key foreign policy topic in the US election campaign. | Iran has been a key foreign policy topic in the US election campaign. |
President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney will hold their third and final campaign debate on Monday, on the subject of foreign policy. | President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney will hold their third and final campaign debate on Monday, on the subject of foreign policy. |
'Crippling sanctions' | 'Crippling sanctions' |
The New York Times report said the US and Iran had agreed to one-on-one negotiations "in principle". | The New York Times report said the US and Iran had agreed to one-on-one negotiations "in principle". |
But US National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said in a statement that it was untrue the US and Iran had "agreed to one-on-one talks or any meeting after the American elections". | |
"We continue to work... on a diplomatic solution and have said from the outset that we would be prepared to meet bilaterally," he added. | |
Negotiations between Iran and the the P5+1 negotiation group - which includes the UK, US, France, China, Russia and Germany - have stalled. | Negotiations between Iran and the the P5+1 negotiation group - which includes the UK, US, France, China, Russia and Germany - have stalled. |
Western nations have used increasingly harsh sanctions in an effort to pressure Iran over its nuclear programme. | Western nations have used increasingly harsh sanctions in an effort to pressure Iran over its nuclear programme. |
Mr Romney has accused Mr Obama of being too soft on Iran. | Mr Romney has accused Mr Obama of being too soft on Iran. |
Mr Obama opposes a near-term military strike by the US or Israel on Iran's nuclear facilities, but says he is determined to stop Iran from building a nuclear bomb. | Mr Obama opposes a near-term military strike by the US or Israel on Iran's nuclear facilities, but says he is determined to stop Iran from building a nuclear bomb. |
"The president has made clear that he will prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and we will do what we must to achieve that," Mr Vietor said. | "The president has made clear that he will prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and we will do what we must to achieve that," Mr Vietor said. |
"The onus is on the Iranians to do so, otherwise they will continue to face crippling sanctions and increased pressure." | "The onus is on the Iranians to do so, otherwise they will continue to face crippling sanctions and increased pressure." |
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