Rice: US would consider direct talks with Iran

For the first time during her tenure, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice said on Monday that the US would be willing to conduct direct negotiations with Iran if Teheran first agreed to freeze its uranium enrichment efforts. Speaking in Washington, Rice said direct talks would only be considered if Iran first suspended its nuclear program and renewed multi-party talks, Israel Radio report. The Iranians have not yet responded to Rice's comments.