The Obama White House is considering a major break with the previous administration's Iran policy and could drop demands that Iran cease enriching uranium as a precondition to talks, according to the New York Times. Proposals for the policy shift are still in the early phases and remain confidential, but European officials said "Iran would not accept the kind of immediate shutdown of its facilities that the Bush administration had demanded."

In his first formal interview as president -- with Dubai-based Al Arabiya -- Obama said, "It is important for us to be willing to talk to Iran, to express very clearly where our differences are, but where there are potential avenues for progress. And we will over the next several months be laying out our general framework and approach."

On ABC's "This Week," Obama reiterated his "new emphasis on respect and a new emphasis on being willing to talk" with the Iranians. His nominee for Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, said at her confirmation hearing that she would pursue diplomacy with Iran to prevent the country from getting nuclear weapons.