US ambassador in talks with Iran

WASHINGTON: The United States' ambassador to the United Nations says talks about Iran's nuclear program are resuming, undisturbed by Washington's decision to block Tehran's ambassador to the diplomatic body.

On Sunday, U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power told ABC's "This Week" that Iran's selection of Hamid Aboutalebi to be its United Nations envoy is not acceptable. She says Tehran should pick someone else.

Iran has rejected that suggestion, following Washington's refusal to give Aboutalebi a visa to enter the United States.

Aboutalebi was a member of the group responsible for the 1979 takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran that held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. Aboutalebi has insisted his involvement in the Muslim Students Following the Imam's Line was limited to translation and negotiation.