In a message to Iran's supreme leader, U.S. President Barack Obama said that Tehran can have a civilian nuclear program if it never pursues a nuclear weapon.

The Washington Post said on Friday that the verbal message was sent to Khamenei via Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who visited Tehran last week. Earlier, Erdogan had a meeting with Obama in Seoul, during which Obama told Erdogan that the Iranians should realize that time is running out for a peaceful resolution that Tehran should take advantage of the current window for negotiations. It was previously reported that the six world powers and Iran will meet in Turkey's Istanbul next week for talks over Tehran's disputed nuclear program.