March 26, 2007	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 6, 1428

NEW YORK, March 25: Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Sunday his country will consider opening talks with the United States, European nations, Russia and China over their concern about its nuclear programme which it considers its “right”.

Speaking at a press conference a day after the UN Security Council unanimously slapped more sanctions on Tehran, Mr Mottaki speaking through an interpreter said: “Wait for our formal response which will come in next few days.”

“We will open talks without any pre-conditions” said Mr Mottaki asserting UN Security Council Resolution 1747 toughening sanctions against the Islamic Republic is illegitimate and unacceptable, asked time and again to clarify Tehran’s position on the overtures made by the major world powers, he asked for patience as a “comprehensive response will come soon.”

However, many experts observed that for the first time Iran may be softening its stance against the world powers.

In a statement China, France, Germany, Russia, United Kingdom, the United States with the consent of high representative of European Union said: “We are committed to seeking a negotiated solution that would address the international community's concerns.

The purpose of negotiations would be to reach a comprehensive agreement with Iran, based on mutual respect that would re-establish international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme and open the way to improving relations and developing wider cooperation between Iran and all our countries.”

They assured Tehran “we stand by our “suspension for suspension” proposal. That means that for the duration of negotiations, which would take place within an agreed timeframe, extendable by mutual agreement, Iran would maintain an IAEA verified suspension as required by Security Council Resolutions 1737 and 1747, and Security Council discussion of Iran's nuclear programme would also be suspended, as would the implementation of the measures adopted under the relevant Security Council Resolutions.

”We urge Iran to take this opportunity to engage with us all and to find a negotiated way forward.

Our proposals would bring far-reaching benefits to Iran and to the region, and they provide a means to address the international community's concerns while taking account of Iran's legitimate interests. In a region that has known too much instability and violence, let us find an agreed way forward that builds confidence and promotes peace and mutual respect. In this spirit, we propose further talks with the Islamic Republic of Iran to see if a mutually acceptable way can be found to open negotiations.”

On Saturday after the council Iranian foreign minister Mr Mottaki made a long and defiant rebuttal to the Security Council, dismissing the sanctions as “unlawful, unnecessary and unjustifiable” and said they would have no effect.

“Iran does not seek confrontation nor does it want anything beyond its inalienable rights,” Mr Mottaki said. “I can assure you that pressure and intimidation will not change Iranian policy.”

He said that suspension of the Iranian nuclear programme “is neither an option nor a solution,” and that it was “a gross violation” of the United Nations charter to use sanctions in an effort to halt what he contended was a peaceful nuclear energy programme.

The resolution included amended language that stressed the importance of a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East and emphasized the importance of the role played by the International Atomic Energy Agency in non-proliferation efforts and safeguarding nuclear materials. Besides the sanctions issue in New York, Mr Mottaki told reporters British Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett had asked to speak with him directly, likely later on Sunday. Mottaki said the 15 Britons were accused of illegally entering Iranian waters: “In terms of legal issues, it's under investigation.”

Britain and the United States have said the sailors and marines had just completed a search of a civilian vessel in the Iraqi part of the Shatt al-Arab waterway when they were intercepted by the Iranian navy.