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Tehran responds to nuclear offer | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Iran has responded to an incentives offer for halting uranium enrichment, Iranian and EU officials say. | |
They say the response was delivered to EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, without giving any further details. | They say the response was delivered to EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, without giving any further details. |
The incentives package from China, the EU, France, Russia, the UK and US was offered to Iran by Mr Solana in June. | The incentives package from China, the EU, France, Russia, the UK and US was offered to Iran by Mr Solana in June. |
He also asked Iran to accept a six-week freeze on further developments on its controversial programme, in return for a similar freeze on new UN sanctions. | He also asked Iran to accept a six-week freeze on further developments on its controversial programme, in return for a similar freeze on new UN sanctions. |
The UN Security Council approved a third round of sanctions against Iran over the issue in March 2008. | The UN Security Council approved a third round of sanctions against Iran over the issue in March 2008. |
Separately, the EU also imposed new sanctions on Iran in June. | Separately, the EU also imposed new sanctions on Iran in June. |
Tehran denies Western claims that it is seeking to build a nuclear weapon, saying its programme is peaceful. | Tehran denies Western claims that it is seeking to build a nuclear weapon, saying its programme is peaceful. |
It has repeatedly rejected demands to halt enriching uranium, which can be used as fuel for power plants or material for weapons if refined to a greater degree. | It has repeatedly rejected demands to halt enriching uranium, which can be used as fuel for power plants or material for weapons if refined to a greater degree. |
Incentives | Incentives |
Tehran's response was delivered to Mr Solana by Iran's ambassador in Belgium, Iran's official Irna news agency said, quoting an unnamed Iranian official. | Tehran's response was delivered to Mr Solana by Iran's ambassador in Belgium, Iran's official Irna news agency said, quoting an unnamed Iranian official. |
The official said the response was signed by Iranian Foreign Minister Manoucher Mottaki. | The official said the response was signed by Iranian Foreign Minister Manoucher Mottaki. |
A spokeswoman for Mr Solana later confirmed that the office had received Tehran's reply. | |
Iran's state TV also said that Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili had a telephone conversation with Mr Solana on Friday. | |
The incentives package builds on a previous offer of 2006 and says that if Iran suspends uranium enrichment, then talks can start about a long-term agreement. | The incentives package builds on a previous offer of 2006 and says that if Iran suspends uranium enrichment, then talks can start about a long-term agreement. |
On offer is recognition of Iran's right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and the treatment of Iran in "the same manner" as other states under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. | On offer is recognition of Iran's right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and the treatment of Iran in "the same manner" as other states under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. |
Iran would get help with developing nuclear power stations and be guaranteed fuel for them. | Iran would get help with developing nuclear power stations and be guaranteed fuel for them. |
It would also be offered trade concessions, including the possible lifting of US sanctions preventing it from buying new civilian aircraft and parts. | It would also be offered trade concessions, including the possible lifting of US sanctions preventing it from buying new civilian aircraft and parts. |