United States President Barack Obama used campaign and election officials, as well as nuclear non-proliferation experts, to hold secret high-level talks with Iran and Syria, months prior to his election as president, organizers of the meetings told Agence France Presse on Monday. Former defense secretary William Perry was one of campaign officials who participated in some of the meetings, which included discussions on Iran's nuclear program and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad confirmed the reports.

Read more