Iran given proposal for resolving nuclear stand-off

European negotiators today handed Iran their proposal for resolving the stand-off over the country’s nuclear program, France’s Foreign Ministry said.

A ministry spokeswoman declined to give details of the offer submitted by France, Germany and Britain.

She said officials wanted to give Iran time to consider the offer.

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said he considered the proposals “ambitious and generous”.

“I hope that Iran will hear the voice of reason and that it will take the path of negotiation and dialogue, and that it will not move toward a resumption of nuclear activities,” he told Europe-1 radio.

The Europeans have said they are offering scientific, technological and trade cooperation in exchange for Iran resolving concerns that its nuclear program is aimed at producing weapons.

Iran, despite its large oil reserves, insists that it is only interested in producing nuclear power.

It had threatened to resume uranium conversion at its plant in Isfahan this week, sparking warnings from the European Union, the US and others.