Iran sees little point in talks with U.S.

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TEHRAN, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Iran doesn't expect many results from a U.S. government that Tehran says hasn't shown goodwill gestures, a foreign ministry spokesman said Tuesday.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said during a security conference in Germany this month that Washington was willing to discuss nuclear issues with Iran provided the Tehran takes the matter seriously.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Tehran was frustrated with the lack of goodwill from Washington, however.

"It is natural that a negotiation where the opposite side has no honesty and does not intend to cooperate and (show) goodwill and claims to seek talks at the same time as (employing) pressure and threats will not produce any results," he was quoted by Iran's state-funded broadcaster Press TV as saying.

His comments echo statements made last week by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who said that threats and continued economic pressure are no way for the United States to move forward in the path toward diplomacy.

Washington since Biden's statement has increased economic pressure on Iran's oil sector. Revenue generated by oil sales could be funding Iran's nuclear program.

Inspectors with the International Atomic Energy Agency said parts of Iran's nuclear program may have a military dimension, an allegation Iran denies.