U.S. President Barack Obama delivers remarks next to Deputy Secretary of State William Burns at the Diplomatic Corps holiday reception at the State Department in Washington December 19, 2012. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3BRHD

Veteran US diplomat Bill Burns to retire, led back channel to Iran

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U.S. President Barack Obama delivers remarks next to Deputy Secretary of State William Burns at the Diplomatic Corps holiday reception at the State Department in Washington December 19, 2012. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3BRHD

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