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US, Iranian Diplomats Talk One-on-One

Lunch meeting could signal Washington's willingness to reach out

By the Associated Press

Posted Oct 1, 2009 9:26 AM CDT

(AP) – The US says senior American and Iranian delegates have met one-on-one on the sidelines of a high-stakes gathering on Tehran's nuclear program. US Under Secretary of State William Burns met with Saeed Jalili, Tehran's chief negotiator during a lunch break today in seven-nation talks in Geneva today.

It is the first known direct high-level meeting between Washington and Tehran in years of attempts to persuade Iran to freeze its uranium enrichment program. The US' willingness to talk one-on-one with Tehran during breaks also shows Washington's determination to keep the dialogue going. At the same time, the US has signaled it is already contemplating new and tighter sanctions on Tehran, reflecting expectations that the talks will end in failure.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, 2nd left, sits with members of its delegation at the opening of the Geneva nuclear talks. (AP Photo/KeystoneDominic Favre)

Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, attends a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Mehr News Agency,Baqer Nasir)

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US, Iranian Diplomats Talk One-on-One

Lunch meeting could signal Washington's willingness to reach out

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US, Iranian Diplomats Talk One-on-One

Lunch meeting could signal Washington's willingness to reach out

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iran • diplomacy • nuclear program • negotiations

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Iran Touts Its 'Key' Nuclear Achievements

Ahmadinejad expected to show off new facilities later today

Iran Cuts Off Oil Exports to 6 EU Countries

Move comes in response to sanctions

US Media Leading Propaganda War on Iran

It's blindly beating the war drums once again: Glenn Greenwald

Iran Disrupts Internet as Elections Loom

Authorities take early steps to prevent protests, say experts

Iranian Man Blows Off Own Leg in Thai Bombing

Bangkok rocked by series of explosions

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