Iran says it is ready for nuclear talks with Europe

Tehran: Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has said Tehran is ready to negotiate with Europe over its nuclear programme only if it will lead to practical results.

His comments were made on Sunday, just days after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appeared to rule out negotiations with Europe, saying the issue would only be discussed with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

A fresh round of sanctions passed by the UN Security Council ordered the freezing of assets of Iranian officials and companies with links to the country's nuclear programme, and, for the first time, banned trade with Iran in certain goods that have both civilian and military use.

But Mottaki said that the new round of sanctions lacked "technical and legal," justification and would discredit the Security Council.