As the final presidential debate on foreign policy looms, the New York Times reports that Obama administration is in talks with the Iranian government and have decided to meet for talks after the November 6 election, according to an unnamed senior official in the white house.
National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor denied the claims, stating that it is "not true that the United States and Iran have agreed to one-on-one talks or any meeting after the American elections."
Instead, Vietor clarifies that the administration "continue[s] to work with the P5+1 [The UN Security Council and Germany] on a diplomatic solution and have said from the outset that we would be prepared to meet bilaterally."
The spokesman notes that Iran must give in to UN demands or otherwise "continue to face crippling sanctions and increased pressure."
President Obama has received criticism from Governor Romney on the campaign trail for the administration's handling of Iran's nuclear program, a note that the GOP candidate will likely hit at tonight's debate.
According to the New York Times, former negotiation leader with Iran during the George W. Bush presidency R. Nicholas Burns said: "It would be unconscionable to go to war if we haven't had such discussions."
He adds that Iran is the source of "the most difficult national security issue facing the United States."
Burns adds, "While we should preserve the use of force as a last resort, negotiating first with Iran makes sense. What are we going to do instead? Drive straight into a brick wall called war in 2013, and not try to talk to them?"