Iran Says It’s Ready for Nuclear Talks

Iran said Sunday that Western incentives aimed at persuading the country to halt its nuclear program were an “acceptable basis” for talks and that it was ready for detailed negotiations.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice responded that Iran should talk directly to negotiators.

Frustrated world powers agreed last week to refer Iran to the United Nations Security Council for possible punishment, saying Tehran had given no sign it would bargain in earnest over its nuclear ambitions.

“We consider this package an appropriate basis, an acceptable basis,” for talks, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said.

“Now is an appropriate opportunity for Iran and Europe to enter detailed negotiations,” he said. “Sending the dossier to the U.N. Security Council means blocking and rejecting talks.”

Iran has said that specialized committees in key state agencies are studying an offer by the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany, and that it will formally respond in late August.

The key demand of the five permanent Security Council members plus Germany is that Iran stop enriching uranium during any negotiations.

Diplomats have said that recent meetings with Iran have gone nowhere, and that it appeared Tehran hoped to buy time or exploit potential divisions among the six powers.

The package includes economic incentives and a provision for the United States to offer Iran nuclear technology, lift some sanctions and join direct talks. The proposal also calls for Iran to impose a long-term moratorium on uranium enrichment.

The U.S. and some of its allies accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons. Tehran says the program is aimed at generating electricity.