WASHINGTON: The United States said on Monday it was awaiting a “definitive statement” from Iran following remarks by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that Tehran would respond in a positive way if Washington adopted a genuinely new approach to his country.

“We are waiting what we believe to be a definitive statement from the government of Iran, we are looking for it to come through the traditional channel,” State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said.

He was referring to a two-week deadline for Iran to give a final answer to world powers seeking a breakthrough in the crisis over the Islamic republic’s nuclear programme.—AFP