Iran 'could negotiate on nuclear enrichment'

Talks with world powers over Iran’s nuclear programme could include proposals to suspend uranium enrichment, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said today.

Speaking to reporters, Hamid Reza Asefi left open the possibly that the issue of uranium enrichment was still part of negotiations.

The statement offered a softer tone than previous stands by other Iranian officials, including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who have said that Iran will never abandon uranium enrichment as part of its nuclear programme.

Asked if Iran would consider uranium enrichment, Asefi said: “Everything should come out through negotiations…Leave everything for negotiations.”

The five permanent Security Council members and Germany have offered Iran an incentive package that would include help with peaceful nuclear development in exchange for a stop to uranium enrichment, which the US and allies fear could be used for a nuclear arms programme.

Iran said it will respond to the package on August 22.