Iran's Khamenei backs Rouhani's New York talks

The supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has endorsed overtures to the US made last month by President Hassan Rouhani in New York. "We support the diplomatic initiative of the government and attach importance to its activities in this trip," he said on his website. But he added that some of what had occurred "was not appropriate". Mr Rouhani had spoken to US President Barack Obama by phone in a bid to ease tension over Iran's nuclear programme. They were the first talks between Iranian and US leaders in more than three decades.