US to persue direct talks with Iran: Hillary

The Obama administration will pursue talks with Iran on nuclear and other issues regardless of who emerges as president in the aftermath of Iran's disputed election, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said.

"We are obviously waiting to see the outcome of the internal Iranian processes, but our intent is to pursue whatever opportunities might exist in the future with Iran'' to discuss big issues, Clinton told reporters.

President Barack Obama and other top administration officials have tried carefully to stay neutral during the dispute and remain open to engagement with both the current government and whoever might take power.

That effort has not been easy, as shown by Iranian charges yesterday of undue US meddling in their postelection conflict, an accusation that US administration officials shrugged off.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama has been clear that there is "a vigorous debate in Iran, between Iranians, about their leadership". Gibbs said Obama stands by his defence of principles such as the rights of people to demonstrate peacefully.