Iran rules out nuclear halt after powers offer deal

Tehran: Iran may face further sanctions if it refuses an incentives package for halting its nuclear work, western powers warned.

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said he expected a reply from Iran soon.

"We are offering a proposal which we would like to be the starting point for real negotiations," said Solana.

Iran's right to have nuclear energy for peaceful purposes would be recognised, he added.

On Saturday, Iran showed no sign of backing down and accepting the package offered by the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.

Solana said Iran should cease uranium enrichment during negotiations on the offer, a precondition the Islamic Republic has repeatedly rejected.

Iran maintains that its nuclear program is only for the generation of electricity so the world's fourth-largest oil producer can export more crude and natural gas.

"If the package includes suspension it is not debatable at all," Iranian spokesman Gholamhossein Elham said. "Iran's view is clear: any precondition is unacceptable."

The offer is a revised version of one rejected by Iran two years ago. It includes trade in aircraft, energy, technology and agriculture. It would also cover political and economic ties between Iran and major world powers.

Elham said Iran would review "any offer based on its international rights" and linked it with Tehran's own package of proposals aimed at defusing the row.

Asked when Tehran would respond to the world powers' offer, Elham said: "We don't know when...we are waiting for their reply to our package."

Meanwhile, Solana said world powers want Iran to suspend nuclear enrichment during talks on a fresh package of incentives.
"We continue to ask for suspension, suspension during the time of negotiations and we will [then] see the outcome of negotiations," he said.