Official says Iran open to U.S. mission

TEHRAN, July 25 (UPI) -- Iranian officials would be open to the United States opening a diplomatic office in Tehran, Iranian Expediency Council Secretary Mohsen Rezai said.

Rezai said Iranians and Americans have mutual interests and a U.S diplomatic presence in Iran would have a positive outcome, KUNA, the Kuwaiti news agency, reported Friday.

U.S. officials reportedly are investigating the possibility of opening a U.S. special interests section, a move that would help establish a full embassy and a diplomatic corps in Iran.

Former Foreign Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Khan of Pakistan said while Western countries were trying to develop a relationship with Iran, they weren't ready for high-level talks, reported IRNA, the official Iranian news agency.

Khan said developments, such as a top U.S. State Department official attending recent discussions on Iran's nuclear intentions, were positive, adding such moves are a "welcoming sign and would have great impact on the region."

He ruled out the possibility of any U.S.-led attack on Iran, saying only Israel would pressure the United States into such a move. Israel has expressed concern about Iran's nuclear capability.

"I don't believe either of the states can afford such type of hostility," Khan said.