Speaking to reporters as she flew to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Rice said Iran needs to suspend uranium enrichment activities before talks can begin, but she did not rule out something less than a permanent suspension. In talks over the weekend between Iranian and European officials, the chief Iranian negotiator offered a two-month freeze at the start of the talks.

"The point is, there would have to be a suspension," Rice said when asked about Iran's proposal. "If there is a suspension, we can have discussions, but there has to be a suspension. As far as I know, the Iranians have not yet said that they would suspend prior to negotiations."

Rice said she has not "heard any Iranian offer, so I don't know what to make of that," adding: "But the question is: Are they prepared to suspend, verifiably, so that negotiations can begin? That's the issue."

Rice's comments came after positive meetings between European and Iranian officials. Two days of talks in Vienna between Ali Larijani, Iran's top nuclear negotiator, and Javier Solana of the European Union went well, and both sides said they will meet again Thursday.

/Washington Post/