On the sidelines of the APEC summit in Beijing, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says there is no link between talks on Iran's nuclear program and other issues in the Middle East.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) US SECRETARY OF STATE, JOHN KERRY, SAYING:

"There is no linkage whatsoever of the nuclear discussions with any other issue, and I want to make that absolutely clear."

The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. President Barack Obama sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamanei, describing their shared interests regarding Islamic State.

Kerry offers no comments on the report..

(SOUNDBITE) (English) US SECRETARY OF STATE, JOHN KERRY, SAYING:

"No one to my knowledge has confirmed or denied whether or not there is a letter or was a letter, and I'm not going to comment on what a president of the United States and the leader of another country may or may not communicate, may or may not communicate, privately."

Washington has already rejected