The United States, in a major policy shift toward Iran, yesterday offered to join European nations in talks with Tehran if it suspends a uranium enrichment programme that Washington says will lead to a nuclear bomb, write Carol Giacomo and Sue Pleming
The US overture to its long-time foe could be turned down by Tehran, which has rejected such conditions before. However US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice said Iran must show it wanted to negotiate "in good faith" or face the consequences.
Any direct talks with Tehran on such a substantive issue would mark a big change in US relations with Iran. Washington has not had formal diplomatic ties with Tehran since after the 1979 Islamic revolution, when students held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.
Dr Rice said the offer of talks was part of a package of incentives and sanctions.
Iran, the world's fourth-largest oil exporter, says its nuclear programme is aimed at peaceful energy production.
The Iranian government had no immediate comment on the US offer but the foreign policy spokesman for its parliament reportedly was dismissive of the US precondition.
Russia and China's UN ambassadors praised Washington's offer, but Beijing's envoy urged the US not to put conditions on its plan.
France, Britain and Germany, which have spearheaded talks with Iran, also welcomed the proposal.
The head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed Elbaradei, who met Dr Rice in Washington last week, urged Iran to create the right conditions needed for the US to join the nuclear talks.