Biden underlines willingness for direct Iran talks

MUNICH - The Associated Press

US Vice President Joseph Biden delivers a speech during the second day of the 49th Munich Security Conference on February 2, 2013 in Munich, southern Germany as world leaders, ministers and top military gather for talks with the spotlight on Syria, Mali and Iran. AFP photo

Vice President Joe Biden says the U.S. is prepared to hold direct talks with Iran in the standoff over its nuclear ambitions - but only if the leadership in Tehran "is serious."

Washington has indicated in the past that it’s prepared to hold talk directly with Iran, and talks involving all five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany have made little headway.

Asked at an international security conference when direct talks might be possible, Biden replied Saturday: "when the Iranian leadership, the supreme leader, is serious."

Biden says the offer stands "but it must be real and tangible and there has to be an agenda that they’re prepared to speak to. We’re not prepared to do it just for the exercise."