Iran set for ‘serious’ talks on nuclear impasse

IRAN’S top nuclear negotiator said yesterday that Tehran was ready to enter “serious negotiations” over its disputed nuclear programme but did not say whether it was willing to suspend uranium enrichment — the West’s key demand.

The negotiator, Ali Larijani, hand-delivered Iran’s response to a six-nation package of nuclear incentives aimed at persuading it to suspend enrichment. He gave the reply to ambassadors from Britain, China, Russia, France, Germany and Switzerland, state-run television said, without disclosing details.

“Iran is prepared as of August 23 to enter serious negotiations” with the countries that proposed the package he told the envoys.