Salehi: Iran ready to hold talks with US on specific issues

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has said that his country is ready to hold talks with US on specific issues, but the decision about direct political negotiations between the two countries rests with the Iranian Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ali Khamenei. "The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States have already held talks about specific issues and there is no impediment to the repetition of them," Salehi said. In reference to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's recent remarks that Washington's is open to bilateral talks with Tehran, Salehi said "Talks have already been held with the United States about specific issues, including Afghanistan and Iraq," adding "Talks about the nuclear program is also being held within the framework of negotiations between Iran and the 5+1 group with the participation of the United States."