Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi. Photo: wiki commons.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, said Monday that he is optimistic about the U.S. government’s new approach to Iran. Citing the Obama administration’s recent statements in favor of opening direct talks, Salehi said he sees it as a sign of a change in hostilities between the two countries.

According to Israel’s Channel 2, speaking at a security conference in Germany Salehi said: “I am optimistic because, according to my feeling, this time – unlike in the past – there is a genuine willingness by the new U.S. administration to change its previous approach to my country.”

Saturday U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said that the United States is prepared to hold direct talks with Iran, but insisted that Tehran must show it is serious.

Salehi’s comments come as information surfaces about attempts by the U.S. to open a comprehensive dialogue with Iran. Reports Monday claimed that new U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was attempting to meet with Salehi, his Iranian counterpart.

The Algemeiner reported Sunday that an Iraqi diplomat with “good sources” said that US President Barack Obama was planning on meeting with Iran’s President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in Tehran in the coming months.