Tehran: A top adviser to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says that Iran would hold talks with the US only if its forces leave the Middle East and Washington ends its support for Israel.
Mahdi Kalhor, an adviser to Ahmadinejad on cultural and media affairs, told the official Iranian News Agency Saturday that as long as US forces remain in the region and the US backs Israel, talks will not take place.
It was not clear if Kalhor's comments reflect the government thinking because Kahlor, despite his high level position, is not responsible for foreign policy issues.
The United States and Iran have had no diplomatic relations since Iranian students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and took hostages.
