The United States on Wednesday played down the prospect of higher-level talks with Iran after Iran’s foreign minister was quoted as saying his government was open to moving negotiations to a more senior level.

Top French diplomat Jean-Claude Cousseran wrapped up a three-day mission to Lebanon Wednesday without making much headway in breaking an eight-month deadlock among the country’s feuding political parties.

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul hinted strongly Wednesday that he could run for president again after his ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) victory in snap general elections.