Tehran, July 5
Iran is ready to negotiate with world powers on its nuclear programme but without suspending its controversial uranium enrichment programme, a government spokesman said today.

“Iran will not go back on its rights on the nuclear issue,” Gholamhossein Elham said, in the first comments from Tehran since it handed over a response yesterday to an international bid to end the nuclear standoff.

“The will of the Iranian people is firm and we will continue to follow the principles defined by the supreme guide (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei),” the spokesman said at a weekly news conference.

“Iran insists on negotiations (with world powers) while respecting its rights and avoiding any loss of international rights,” he said, referring to Tehran’s refusal to give up on nuclear enrichment.

Yesterday, Iran delivered its response to a package drawn up by six world powers offering the country technology and negotiations if Iran suspends uranium enrichment, which the West fears could be used to make atomic weapons.

Elham said his country was prepared to hold talks “especially with the 5+1 Group” of the UN Security Council members plus Germany “on the common points in the Iranian package and the offer of the world powers.”

Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said his country had submitted a “constructive and creative” response with “a focus on common ground,” but he did not elaborate on the contents.

Iran has also put forward its own all-embracing offer aimed at solving world problems, including the nuclear issue, and has said there is common ground between the two packages.

There has been considerable speculation in recent days that Tehran was softening its tone on the nuclear standoff, although the international community has made negotiations conditional on enrichment suspension. — AFP