Biden made the comment at the annual Munich security conference, saying the talks will have to be "real".

 

　　"We have made it clear at the outset that we would not, that we would be prepared to meet bilaterally with the Iranian leadership. We would not make it a secret that we're doing that. We would let our partners know if that occasion presented itself. That offer stands, but it must be real and tangible and there has to be an agenda that they are prepared to speak to. We are not just prepared to do if for the exercise."

 

　　Washington has indicated in the past that it's prepared to talk directly with Iran, and talks involving all five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany have made little headway.

 

　　Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says he will strongly support Biden and also talks of about the need for incentives to be clearly shown to Iran.

 

　　Iran made no immediate comment on the possibility of direct talks with the U.S, but its foreign minister is due to address the annual conference later today.

 

　　Last month Iran announced plans to vastly increase its pace of uranium enrichment.