U.S. ambivalence frustrates Iran

TEHRAN (UPI) - The U.S. government hasn't been consistent with its policy regarding the possibility of engagement with the Islamic republic, an Iranian lawmaker said.

In his first news conference since re-election last week, U.S. President Barack Obama said he would "make a push" to see if there was any potential for nuclear talks "between Iran and not just us, but the international community"

An October report in The New York Times, which cited unnamed White House officials, said an agreement was reached "in principle" to discuss the nuclear issue one-on-one with the Iranians after the Nov. 6 election in the United States.

Hossein Naqavi Hosseini, a spokesman for an Iranian parliamentary committee on foreign policy, said Tehran was frustrated with Washington's ambivalence.

"The Americans are not honest in their words," he was quoted by state-funded broadcaster Press TV as saying. "There is no consistency in their words and actions."

Obama, during an October debate with Republican challenger Mitt Romney, said there was no "in principle" agreement to speak directly with Tehran.

The president, during a Wednesday news conference, said there was "still a window of time" to resolve the nuclear impasse using diplomatic means. On the potential for bilateral talks, however, he maintained word of imminent bilateral talks "was not true."