U.S. urges Iran to take steps to improve ties

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The White House said Tuesday that Iran will have to take steps to improve ties with the United States after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appealed for more U.S. steps to ease relations.

"We totally agree with the Iranian president. One or two more steps are needed. Let's start with Iran suspending it's uranium enrichment process and go from there," U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

Johndroe made the comments after Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that the United States should take steps to end years of disputes, as he regarded the report by the U.S. intelligence community concerning Iran's nuclear program was "a positive step."

"We evaluate this (report) as a positive step, and a step forward and if they take one or two more steps the situation will be totally different ... the road will be paved for resolving regional and international issues," Ahmadinejad said.

According to the U.S. intelligence report, Iran halted work toward a nuclear weapon in 2003 and is unlikely to be able to produce enough enriched uranium for a bomb until 2010 to 2015.

Washington has accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Iran has denied U.S. charges and insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.