Clinton says US open to bilateral talks if Iran is ‘ever ready’

The United States is open to bilateral talks about Iran’s nuclear program if Tehran is “ever ready,” US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday.

Responding to a question, Clinton called Iran the hardest issue she has dealt with as secretary of state “because of the dangers that its behaviour already poses and the geometrically greater danger that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose.”

The United States and its allies suspect Iran of seeking to develop nuclear arms under cover of its civilian atomic program. Iran denies this, saying its program is for peaceful purposes such as power generation and producing medical isotopes.

Under a “two track” policy, the United States and other major powers have sought to negotiate a diplomatic solution while gradually increasing economic sanctions against Iran to try to force it to come to terms.

Speaking to a group of officials, experts and diplomats from the United States and the Middle East, Clinton stressed that the Obama administration is prepared for bilateral talks with Iran.

For now, Clinton said Washington is working with members of the so-called P5+1 group of major powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - to resume talks with Iran about its nuclear program.