Iran in fresh nuclear talks offer

Iran says it has repeated an offer to the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany to resume talks over the country’s disputed nuclear program.

Iran’s nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili has written to European Union’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton asking that the two sides set a timetable and choose a venue for the talks.

The official IRNA news agency said Mr Jalili’s letter was delivered today in Brussels, reiterating his call for a “constructive approach”. There was no immediate response from the EU.

Previous talks have not resolved international suspicions that Iran’s nuclear programme masks a pursuit of atomic weapons. Tehran insists it is for peaceful purposes.

Iran first offered the new talks in February in response to a letter from Ms Ashton.