US, Iran to resume nuclear talks in Geneva

WASHINGTON -- US and Iranian officials are set to resume talks Thursday in Geneva over Tehran's controversial nuclear program, the State Department said Wednesday.

Deputy Secretary of State William Burns and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman will lead the US delegation for the two-day talks, the department said in a statement.

"These bilateral consultations will take place in the context of the P5+1 nuclear negotiations led by EU High Representative Cathy Ashton," it added.

Washington and Tehran last met in Geneva in early August, as Iran and the six powers known as P5+1 -- Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany -- failed to meet the deadline of July 20 to reach a comprehensive agreement but agreed to extend the talks until Nov. 24.

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