WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- The Obama administration is willing to hold direct talks with Iran without preconditions but does not expect a major breakthrough, officials said Friday.
Iran offered to come to the bargaining table but said it would not discuss its nuclear program, The New York Times reported. The talks, also involving Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia, would be the first between high-level U.S. and Iranian officials since the 1979 revolution.
Administration officials said everything would be on the table, including Iran's nuclear program.
"We'll be looking to see if they are willing to engage seriously on these issues," State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley said. "If we have talks, we will plan to bring up the nuclear issue."
The administration has said it would need to attempt to engage with Iran before asking its allies for more stringent economic sanctions.
U.S. conservatives are expected to be harshly critical of any talks with Iran, especially in light of the disputed presidential election.
