US Official: "... we are prepared to listen..."

POLITICO/ here

"... The U.S. reacted cautiously ... indicating it was willing to listen if Iran has genuinely changed its position on the fuel swap deal, while it was continuing preparations with key allies on sanctions for further pressuring Iran.....

"If Iran has something new to say, we are prepared to listen," a U.S. official said on condition of anonymity. "We made a good faith and balanced offer regarding the Tehran research reactor," National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer said. "We believe it makes sense for all parties. If Mr. Ahmadinejad’s comments reflect an updated Iranian position, we look forward to Iran informing the IAEA."......

Ahmadinejad also reportedly told Iranian State TV that Iran would consider exchanging U.S. citizens being detained in Iran for Iranians being held abroad. "We are having talks to have an exchange if it is possible,” Ahmadinejad was cited. "We are hopeful that all prisoners will be released.”

The NSC's Hammer stressed that the reports of what Ahmadinejad said are fragmentary, and the U.S. has not entered into any discussion with Iran about an exchange. "With regards to what Ahmedinejad said, [I] want to stress that these reports are fragmentary. ....... "If President Ahmadinejad’s comments suggest that they are prepared to resolve these cases, we would welcome that step," Hammer continued. "But we have not entered into any discussion with Iran about an exchange. As we have indicated publicly, if Iran has questions about its citizens in U.S. custody, we are prepared to answer them."...."