White House Dismisses Comments by Khameni Over Nuke Talks

FOX News:

The Bush administration is shrugging off comments by Iran's supreme leader that his country doesn't need to discuss its nuclear weapons program with Washington.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said talks with the United States would have "no benefit" for Iran, so there's no need to hold them.

White House press secretary Tony Snow said officials don't consider the supreme leader's comments to be an official response. The United States and its allies in Europe are waiting for Iran's top nuclear negotiator to talk to the European Union's foreign policy chief, Snow said.

The West is offering Iran a package of incentives to give up its nuclear activities. But Khamenei — who has final say on all state matters in Iran — believes any negotiations would only pressure his country.