TEHRAN, Aug 22: Iran handed over on Tuesday its formal response to a nuclear incentives offer from major powers and said it contained ideas that would allow serious talks about its standoff with the West to start immediately.

But Tehran gave no sign of heeding a key United Nations Security Council demand that it freeze uranium enrichment before the end of this month or face the prospect of sanctions.

Chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani delivered Iran’s reply to the incentives package at a meeting with foreign envoys representing the offer’s six co-sponsors in Tehran.

“Although there is no justification for the other parties’ illegal move to refer Iran’s case to the Security Council ... the answer was prepared ... to pave the way for fair talks,” Mr Larijani said.

“Iran is prepared to hold serious talks from Aug 23,” he was quoted by ISNA as saying.

He said Iran was ready to play a “constructive” role regarding all issues in the package.

One European diplomat said: “It is a comprehensive answer. The Iranian side said they would welcome a continuation of negotiations.”

Iran says it will not abandon what it calls its right to enrich uranium for use in nuclear power stations. Western countries fear Iran wants to master enrichment to give it the ability to make atomic bombs.

The UN Security Council – frustrated with Iran’s slow response to the incentives offer made by the US, UK, Germany, France, China and Russia in June – has given it Aug 31 to freeze enrichment.

Iran has called the deadline illegal and worthless.

The European diplomat, who was not at the meeting with Mr Larijani but was citing an initial read out, said Iran had again ruled out freezing enrichment as a precondition to talks “but indicated that it might be open to accept suspension in the course of negotiations.

Other diplomats had no immediate comment on Iran’s reply and declined to confirm that Mr Larijani had indicated some flexibility on enrichment.

RICE STUDYING REPLY: The US State Department declined any immediate comment on Iran’s response until full details were known but an official said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had returned from her vacation to examine Tehran’s reply.—Reuters