Obama may be prepared to meet Ahmadinejad, says NSA Jones

Washington, Aug.12 (ANI): US National Security Adviser, General James Jones, has said President Barack Obama may be prepared to meet his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad if Tehran willingly resumes negotiations over its nuclear programme.

Jones also said Iran must also take steps to release and return three American hikers it has in its custody, suggesting that this would be an "important gesture".

Jones statement was in response to Ahmadinejad's request for face-to-face talks with Obama during next month's UN General Assembly meeting in New York.

The White House had has ruled out any such meeting for the time being.

In an interview with CNN, Jones said "the door's open" if the Iranians agree to resume talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

When asked whether Obama may meet the Iranian leader, he said: "Ultimately if we find a convergence of paths all things are possible." (ANI)