HALIFAX (Canada), Sept 11: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Monday the United States might be willing to join negotiations with Iran if it temporarily suspended its nuclear program.

“The point is there would have to be a suspension. If there is a suspension, we can have discussions but there has to be a suspension,” Ms Rice told reporters as she flew to Canada.

“As far as I know, the Iranians have not yet said that they would suspend prior to negotiations, which is what the issue has been,” she added.

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Iranian negotiator Ali Larijani said they had made progress in weekend talks to explore a basis for formal negotiations to end a stalemate over Tehran’s pursuit of technology that could yield atom bombs.

An EU diplomat said Mr Larijani offered a two-month enrichment freeze during seven hours of discussions Mr with Solana in Vienna that both sides described as constructive.

Asked about the offer of a two-month freeze, Ms Rice appeared to leave open the door to talks.

“Suspension, verified suspension, that’s the condition,” she said. “As to time limitations ... I haven’t heard any Iranian offer so I don’t know what to make of that but the question is: are they prepared to suspend, verifiably, so that negotiations can begin. That’s the issue,” she said.

Ms Rice’s comments appeared to mark a softening of the US position. Previously, the US said it still aimed to seek UN sanctions against Iran.—Reuters