Iran said today it was ready to negotiate over a new package of economic incentives put forward by major powers seeking to persuade Tehran to curb its nuclear work.
Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki told a news conference in the Ugandan capital Kampala that the six - the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany - should also take a serious look at Tehran's own proposals.
"We have informed them of our readiness to negotiate. The package given by the P5+1 countries is currently under consideration and at the appropriate time Teheran will give its reactions," said Mr Mottaki, who is in Uganda for a meeting of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today accused the six nations of bullying Tehran over its nuclear programme and said their efforts would end in disgrace.
After handing over the offers to Iran on Saturday, EU policy chief Javier Solana reaffirmed the six powers wanted Iran to suspend enrichment during talks on the offer - a precondition the Islamic Republic has repeatedly rejected.
Mr Solana said today he had yet to receive Iran's formal reply. "For the moment there has not been any reply," he said.
Iran says it is ready to review the proposals, but Tehran seems in no hurry to respond.
Analysts also believe Tehran is using delaying tactics to press ahead with atomic work. An Iranian official said time was on Iran's side.
"We will review the package but not the part about enrichment freeze ... We are moving forward with our work and Iran's nuclear capability is being constantly augmented," said the official, involved in talks with Solana in Tehran.
"Each passing day we are more advanced in nuclear technology, it gives us an upper hand in talks."
Reuters