Iran ready for EU nuclear negotiations

TEHRAN, March 9 (UPI) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Sunday his country is ready to start nuclear talks with the European Union under the right conditions.

Mottaki said as long as negotiations concerning Iran's nuclear program have a chance of being productive, Iran is ready to open communications with EU officials such as EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, RIA Novosti reported.

"We have always supported comprehensive negotiations that are purposeful, meaningful and produce results," the foreign minister said.

Mottaki's comments appear to contradict an earlier message from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who said Iran would only negotiate with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The foreign minister's comments also come after a third round of sanctions were placed against Iran by the United Nations Security Council.

The sanctions, which range from travel bans to freezing of bank accounts, were the most recent attempt by the international community during the last six years to force Iran to comply with IAEA regulations, the Russian news agency reported.