GENEVA, May 25: The European Union and Tehran on Wednesday gave themselves another two months for a deal on Iran’s nuclear programme, deferring any immediate referral of Tehran to the United Nations Security Council by the West. After some three hours of talks with the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany, Iran’s chief negotiator Hassan Rohani told journalists the EU would present Tehran with a package of ideas by the end of July.

The EU proposals would flesh out an accord reached in November under which Iran suspended temporarily its nuclear activities in return for economic and technological concessions.

Wednesday’s pact meant Tehran would maintain that suspension, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said.

“The EU has offered to give Iran a detailed proposal ... We believe that we could reach an agreement within a reasonably short time,” said Mr Rohani, who said he would report back to Tehran with the EU offer.

Iran says its nuclear programme is purely for generating electricity. But the United States says Iran is using it as a veil to develop atomic weapons. The EU, led by Britain, France and Germany, has tried to mediate.

Washington wants Tehran referred to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions if it does not agree to give up the programme.

Iran says it has the right to produce nuclear energy and is impatient with what it sees as EU and US efforts to stand in its way.—Reuters