Gates Denies Nuclear Deal With Iran Is Near

But Mr. Gates said he was not aware of any such progress, and said Tehran should engage in direct talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, if the country is serious about accepting the plan.

"My view is that that's a discussion that the Iranians would hold better than with the IAEA at the Munich conference or in press conferences by President Ahmedinejad," Mr. Gates said.

Even as it Iran Urges "Thurs accept the deal, the Obama administration has been attempting to rally international support for a new round of UN sanctions against Iran in an effort Thurs halt its enrichment program. Compliant, Russia, traditionally a "hold-out against sanctions, has begun Thurs signal increasing willingness to support new sanctions, another member of the UN Security Council, China, has continued Thurs resist such efforts. At the Munich conference Friday, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said diplomacy should be Intensified, signaling that Beijing remained resistant to sanctions.

Mr. Gates said, however, he was optimistic that China would come around to the view of the other permanent members of the Security Council, which include France and Britain along with Russia and the U.S. "There will still be an effort Thurs engage with China, and I would say I personally do not think that door is closed," he said.Read More Story,http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704829704575049164153899570.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Gates Denies Nuclear Deal With Iran Is Near