European officials who have been in contact with the administration in recent weeks described the Bush administration as intensifying its discussions on the issue, the newspaper said.

European leaders who have conducted lengthy, and so far fruitless, negotiations with Iran have made no secret of their desire for Washington to join in the talks.

But since the Iranian revolution of 1979 and the crisis over the seizure of American hostages in November that year, the United States has avoided direct talks with Iran.

The paper cited European officials as saying that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had begun discussing the issue with top aides at the State Department.

Her belief, they say, is that ultimately the matter will have to be addressed by the administration's national security officials, whether talks with Iran remain at an impasse or even if there is some progress, The Times said.

But others who know her well say she is resisting on the ground that signaling a willingness to talk would show weakness and disrupt the delicate negotiations with Europe, the report said.

Rice is also said to fear that the administration might end up making too many concessions to Iran, the paper pointed out.

Administration officials said President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld have opposed direct talks, even through informal back channels, The Times reported.

As a result, many European officials say they doubt that a decision to talk is likely soon, according to the report.

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