Defence Secretary

WASHINGTON, May 14 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates called for more visits to Iran by American citizens on Wednesday, saying the private contact might help bridge differences between the two countries.

Talking about U.S.-Iran relations at the American Academy of Diplomacy, Gates said that "We need to figure out a way to develop some leverage with the Iranians and then sit down and talk with them."

"There are actually a fair number of Iranians that come to the United States to visit," he said.