Iran cautious on U.S. diplomatic overtures

TEHRAN, July 18 (UPI) -- Iran's foreign minister says his government is still weighing a U.S. proposal to establish a diplomatic mission in Tehran.

Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters that the request was not formally made to Iran but rather was floated through the news media, Iran's Press TV said Friday.

The United States currently handles diplomatic matters with Iran through the Swiss Embassy in Tehran. The proposed American interests section would place U.S. diplomats in Iran, but would not constitute formal diplomatic relations.

The move comes as Washington has showed a little more willingness to develop closer ties with Iran.

A ranking U.S. diplomat is sitting in on talks regarding Iran's nuclear program. Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, said Friday the talks would be constructive if the U.S. representative, Undersecretary of State William Burns, takes an equally constructive stance.