Clinton Says New Iran Nuclear Talks Encouraging

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says she is "encouraged" by the Iranian government's announcement about new nuclear talks.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the Obama administration is encouraged that Iran has agreed to return to Geneva for a new round of talks on its disputed nuclear program.

Clinton spoke in the Kazakh capital, Astana, where she is attending an OSCE summit.

She said the talks, scheduled for next week with the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany, would offer Tehran a chance to address international concerns regarding its nuclear program.

"We are encouraged that Iran has agreed to meet in Geneva next week with representatives of the P5+1," Clinton said of the Security Council permanent members plus Germany. "This is an opportunity for Iran to come to the table and discuss the matters that are of concern to the international community, first and foremost, their nuclear program."

The United States and other countries are concerned that Iran is secretly pursuing a nuclear bomb. Iran has denied that.

Clinton is expected to discuss the Iran nuclear matter later this week at a security conference in Bahrain.

compiled from agency reports