U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in Berlin Thursday an accord ending North Korea's nuclear program would lead to normal relations between the United States and Pyongyang. The chief U.S. negotiator to the Chinese-sponsored six-party nuclear talks held a two-day set of meetings with his North Korean counterpart in the German capital.

Iran has denied reports that it asked Saudi Arabia to mediate with the United States.

Iran's de-stabilizing role in Iraq, as well as concerns about Iranian nuclear development, were key topics in congressional hearings on Thursday. VOA's Dan Robinson reports from Capitol Hill.

Outgoing U.S. intelligence chief John Negroponte has said Iran is capable of weathering shocks to its economy at a time when Washington hopes sanctions will pressure Tehran over its nuclear program.

The Bush administration said Wednesday financial sanctions it is imposing on Iran are aimed at Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program and not intended to cause broad hardship among the Iranian people. The U.S. Treasury Department singled out a state-owned Iranian bank for penalties on Tuesday. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

Two Nobel Peace Prize winners, one from the United States, the other from Iran, are urging the Bush administration to engage in a constructive dialog with the government in Tehran. VOA correspondent Meredith Buel has details from Washington.

An Iranian legislator says a man has been arrested on suspicion of leaking information about Iran's nuclear activities to the country's main opposition group, the Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MEK).

Israel is denying British reports that it has drawn up plans for a nuclear strike on Iran's uranium enrichment facilities.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday a new North Korean nuclear test would only deepen that country's isolation. Rice, who met with her South Korean counterpart in Washington, said the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program could resume in short order if Pyongyang is prepared to be forthcoming. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Husseini said today that Iran will not cut its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and stressed the country's commitment to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

A senior Chinese official has urged the international community to resume negotiations on Iran's disputed nuclear program.

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad says Iran will soon start production of nuclear fuel for industrial use.