The United States will persist for now with diplomatic overtures to Iran despite the lack of a positive response from Tehran, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Tuesday, acccording to Reuters.
Visiting Egypt, Gates said some of Iran's statements in response to the administration of President Barack Obama had "not been very encouraging."
But he added: "We're not willing to pull the hand back yet because we think there's still some opportunity."
Obama's efforts to engage with Tehran mark a break with the policy of his predecessor George W. Bush, who once labeled Iran as part of an "axis of evil."
But Gates said any dialogue would likely develop slowly, if it happened at all. He also sounded a note of caution about the prospects of a positive response from Iran.
"I've been around long enough to see these efforts attempted before, and with no result," said Gates, a former CIA director who has worked on U.S. national security issues since the 1960s.
"The United States goes into this with its eyes wide open," he said. "If we encounter a closed fist, when we extend our open hand, then we will react accordingly."
The Obama administration, which took office in January, hopes talks with Tehran, coupled with diplomatic pressure, can resolve differences with Iran over its nuclear ambitions. Iran says it is developing nuclear power solely to generate electricity, but the United States and other nations believe Tehran wants to build atomic weapons.
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