Iran opens way for nuclear talks

Iran handed over yesterday its formal response to a nuclear incentives offer from major powers and said it contained ideas that would allow serious talks about its standoff with the West to start immediately.

But Tehran gave no sign of heeding a key United Nations Security Council demand that it freeze uranium enrichment before the end of this month or face the prospect of sanctions.

Chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani delivered Iran's reply to the incentives package, handed to Iran almost three months ago, at a meeting with foreign envoys representing the offer's six co-sponsors in Tehran.

"Although there is no justification for the other parties' illegal move to refer Iran's case to the Security Council the answer was prepared to pave the way for fair talks," Larijani said.

"Iran is prepared to hold serious talks from August 23," he was quoted by Iran's student news agency ISNA as saying.

He said Iran was ready to play a "constructive" role regarding all issues in the package.

One European diplomat said: "It is a comprehensive answer. The Iranian side said they would welcome a continuation of negotiations." The world's fourth largest oil exporter, Iran says it will not abandon what it calls its right to enrich uranium for use in nuclear power stations. Western countries fear Iran wants to master enrichment to give it the ability to make atomic bombs.

The UN Security Council - frustrated with Iran's slow response to the incentives offer made by Britain, Germany, France, China, the United States and Russia in June - has given it to August 31 to freeze enrichment or face possible sanctions.

Iran has called the deadline illegal and worthless. The European diplomat, who was not at the meeting with Larijani but was citing an initial read out, said Iran had again ruled out freezing enrichment as a precondition to talks "but indicated that it might be open to accept suspension in the course of negotiations.