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Iran leader hints at first direct US nuclear talks
March 21, 2013
Iran's supreme leader today signalled openness for the first time to US offers to hold direct talks on his country's disputed nuclear drive, but voiced pessimism over the chances of a breakthrough.
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the final say in all decisions on Iran's nuclear programme which the West suspects is cover for a drive for a weapons capability.
"US officials time after time have offered one-on-one talks" on the sidelines of negotiations with the so-called P5+1 group of major powers, Khamenei said in an address broadcast live on state television.