White House cautious reaction to Iran-Russia nuclear fuel agreement

Iran on Monday voiced guarded welcome to a possible US involvement in the ongoing nuclear talks between Europe and &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/economics/2001/10/04/17092.html' target=_blank>Tehran, the official IRNA news agency reported.

"We have already said the Americans are not a party in our negotiations. But if US pressure on the European countries is such that it requires the Europeans to coordinate their views with the Americans, we certainly welcome it," government spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh was quoted as saying.

"The government's view is that any step which can help the negotiations and yield results is positive," Ramezanzadeh added, reports the Xinhua News.

European nations involved in anti-nuclear proliferation talks with Iran have tried to persuade the United States to join the negotiations in hopes that Washington would offer to lift Iranian sanctions in exchange for a permanent deal.

Iran has denied U.S. accusations it is using its nuclear program to develop weapons. Bush discussed the issue with &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/world/2003/01/31/42854.html' target=_blank>European leaders during a recent European trip.

"The president is thinking through some of the ideas discussed last week," said &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/main/2002/07/10/32162.html' target=_blank>White House spokesman Scott McClellan. "We want to look at how to be most helpful in moving forward to our shared goal", says CNN.