DHAKA: Iran’s supreme leader has sent a secret but noncommittal letter to United States President Barack Obama in response to American overtures, amid talks to strike a nuclear accord.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, The Straits Times publishes this report on Saturday.

The newspaper cited an Iranian diplomat as saying Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had written to Obama in response to the President’s letter sent in October.

Obama’s correspondence had suggested potential US-Iranian cooperation in fighting the Islamic State group if a deal on Iran’s nuclear programme was struck, the diplomat told the Journal.

The Supreme Leader’s response was ‘respectful’ but noncommittal, the diplomat was quoted as saying. Ayatollah Khamenei has the final word on all matters of state in Iran.

BDST: 1250 HRS, FEB 14, 2015