U.S., Iran not in talks on prisoner swap -U.S.

There are no talks between the United States and Iran on a prisoner exchange, the U.S. State Department said on Wednesday, one day after Iran raised the possibility of a swap, Reuters reported.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley made the comment after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday said three U.S. citizens detained in Iran and charged with spying could be swapped with Iranians held in the United States.

"There are no negotiations taking place between the United and Iran regarding a prisoner swap," Crowley told reporters.

"If this is a suggestion that Iran is willing to move forward and resolve the issues surrounding U.S. citizens in Iranian custody, we would obviously welcome ... that opportunity," he added.

Crowley did not absolutely rule out the possibility of an exchange but he said the cases of the three U.S. hikers, who he suggested crossed into Iran by accident, were not comparable to those of Iranians accused or convicted of crimes.

"There is not really an equivalence, if you will, between, say an Iranian citizen who has been indicted and/or convicted of arms trafficking in violation of international law and three hikers who wandered across an unmarked border, he said.

"We are not interested in a swap per se. We are interested in resolving the cases of our citizens, who we think ... should be released immediately," he added.