Iran Signals Willingness to Consider Incentive Package

A breakthrough in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program is possible, the Islamic Republic’s president told the U.N. chief Saturday, welcoming unconditional talks with all parties, including the United States, Iranian media reported.

In a speech later, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his government would not rush to judge an incentives package offered by permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany to persuade Iran to halt its enrichment of uranium.

State television reported that Ahmadinejad told United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan by phone that the dispute could be settled if the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency preserved Tehran’s right to atomic energy.

A U.S. offer for negotiations is conditional on Iran suspending uranium enrichment -- a process that can produce both fuel for nuclear reactors that generate electricity and the material for atomic warheads -- and allowing U.N. inspections.

“A breakthrough to overcome world problems, including Iran’s nuclear case, would be the equal implementation of the law for all,” state TV quoted Ahmadinejad as telling Annan.

Ahmadinejad alluded to the fact that Iran is a signatory of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which allows the pursuit of nuclear energy for peaceful uses in conjunction with a promise not to acquire atomic weapons.

The United States and other Western nations suspect Iran’s nuclear program is intended to produce weapons. Tehran insists it is only for generating power.

Six key nations agreed Thursday to offer Iran a new incentive package to give up uranium enrichment and to impose sanctions if it refuses. Washington said Friday that Iran did not have much time to respond, suggesting the window could close and be replaced by penalties.

“We won’t be in haste to judge” the proposal, Ahmadinejad told thousands of people in Iran’s capital, Tehran.

“We are after negotiations, but fair and just negotiations. They must be without any conditions,” he said in a speech marking the 17th anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution.