WASHINGTON, Feb 28: Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said in an interview with Time magazine’s online edition that Tehran would consider direct talks over its nuclear program with the Bush administration.

Mr Larijani also said in the interview, published on Monday, that Iran’s response would not be a ‘pleasant one’ if its territory or ‘installations’ were attacked by Israel.

Asked why Iran does not talk directly with Washington, Mr Larijani replied: “We have no problems in negotiating on nuclear issues, and also issues of interest to Muslims, things that will bring calm to the region, provided that they are honest and that Mr Bush does not harangue us.”

Asked what the dispute’s worst case scenario would be, Mr Larijani — who is also Iran’s foreign policy chief — said ‘there’s a general rule that he who shoots first, dies in the second phase. If they take action, the response will not be a very pleasant one for them’.

“We shall definitely defend. Don’t doubt that for a second. We shall not stand idly by and watch Israelis attack our installations,” he said.

Quizzed over how the West could trust Tehran, when its leader, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has called for Israel to be ‘wiped off the map’, Mr Larijani said ‘these are two separate issues’.

“We are not looking for a nuclear bomb. We are looking for a peaceful nuclear program,” he said.

The Iranian nuclear negotiator said Tehran would not budge under intense pressure over its atomic program and that a deal with Russia, to enrich uranium on Russia soil for Iran, would not end the standoff.

The deal is designed to guarantee the fuel would be used to generate electricity and not as an ingredient for a nuclear bomb.

“If they think that we are going to surrender by threats of being referred to the (UN) Security Council, they are making a mistake,” he told Time.

Ahead of a March 6 meeting of the UN watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency which will be key in deciding how the international community responds to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, he said Tehran was ‘flexible’ but would not stop nuclear research.

“What will that solve? Mr Bush has said that Iran is after the nuclear bomb. If we stop research, will that alleviate his concern?” he asked.

Mr Larijani is to fly to Moscow for talks on Wednesday on the Russian compromise offer, seen as a last effort to ward off possible international sanctions.

He said it would be pointless for Iran to suspend nuclear activities while it negotiated over its program.

“We suspended our activities for three years. What was solved? Nothing ... I think that even if we do that (suspend nuclear activities), then history will repeat itself.” —AFP