THE prospect of US talks with Iran edged closer as the Obama administration agreed to join other nations for negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme.

A face-to-face meeting between President Barack Obama and Iran president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became a possibility as both countries adopted a conciliatory attitude.

Mr Ahmadinejad praised Mr Obama's “honest” shift in nuclear policy and in a statement issued by Tehran's news agency said he would welcome direct talks. “We will review it and then decide about it,” Ali Akbar Javanfekr, a senior adviser to Mr Ahmadinejad, added.

In return, the Obama administration announced that for the first time the US would join Britain, China, Germany, Russia and France in asking Iran to join a new round of talks on its nuclear programme.

State department spokesman Robert Wood said: “If Iran accepts, we hope this will be the occasion to seriously engage Iran on how to break the log jam of recent years. If Iran accepts that invitation, we look forward to direct engagement.”

The US has long viewed with suspicion plans by Iran to develop a nuclear programme. While Mr Ahmadinejad has insisted the programme is for energy supply, the US fears it will be for the payload of missiles aimed at Israel and other nations.

The US has been closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to use military force to destroy Iran's nuclear capability. But since being elected president, Mr Obama has extended an olive branch, giving a video-taped New Year's day message to the Iranian people. Last month he also said he wanted better ties with Iran and would consider renewing the diplomatic relations which ended in 1979, following a siege on the US embassy in Tehran.

Mr Obama's attitude towards Iran contrasts with that of his predecessor President George Bush, who described the country as being part of the “axis of evil”. The Bush administration had also shunned regular negotiations between the six global powers and Iran.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has also expressed “deep concern” about the detention of an Iranian-American journalist in Tehran. Roxana Saberi, who is being held in Evin prison and has been accused of spying, will appear in court next week. She had initially faced the less serious accusations of buying alcohol and working without a valid press card.

“We are deeply concerned by the news,” Mrs Clinton said. “I will, as will the rest of the state department, continue to follow this very closely. We wish for her speedy release and return.”

Saberi has worked for the BBC as a freelance reporter. Her parents have flown from the US to visit her and she is said to be in good spirits.

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