A U.S. security spokesman assured reporters...

"It is important for the world community to understand that Russia and the United States have moved beyond some historical issues and are working today as they should do to address the common challenges that we face," National Security Council Spokesman Mike Hammer told a press briefing at the Foreign Press Center in Washington.

"And of course if there are disagreements, we have to voice those openly, without hesitation," he added.

Despite the optimism, a number of analysts have suggested that serious differences exist between the U.S. and Russia on Iran.

But Hammer said Washington and Moscow were on their way toward developing a common stance on the Islamic country"s nuclear activities.

Earlier this week, a senior U.S. diplomat praised the changes in the Russian stance on the Iranian nuclear problem, which have recently moved Moscow closer to Washington"s assessment of the situation.

"Tactically, I would say we are closer than ever before," U.S.

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