Tehran – Iran said Tuesday that it was ready for “serious negotiations” on its nuclear program, insisting it was not trying simply to buy time to develop weapons.
A semiofficial news agency said the government was unwilling to abandon uranium enrichment – the key U.S. demand.
The statements came as the government delivered its written response to a package of incentives offered by the United States and five other world powers if Iran rolls back on its nuclear program – and punishments if it does not.
The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, said Washington will “study the Iranian response carefully” but was prepared to move forward with sanctions against Tehran if it was not positive.
The White House held off commenting until it had studied the text. The European Union’s foreign-policy chief, Javier Solana, said the document was “extensive” and required “a detailed and careful analysis.”
Iranian officials offered no details of what they called a “new formula” meant to bridge differences with the six powers – the five permanent U.N. Security Council members and Germany – over its nuclear program.
But Tehran’s response appeared geared at enticing those countries into further negotiations by offering a broad set of proposals vague enough to hold out hope of progress in resolving the standoff.
If the Iranians leave the door open to halting enrichment as talks progress, that could drive a wedge in the Security Council between Americans, British and French on one side and the Russians and Chinese on the other.
Last month, Russia said the council was in no rush to pressure Iran, striking a more conciliatory tone than the U.S.
Tuesday’s announcement was the latest development in the year-long standoff over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Iran says it wants to master the technology to generate nuclear power. But critics say Iran is interested in uranium enrichment because it also can be used to make the fissile core of nuclear weapons.
