Iran reiterates nuclear stance

TEHRAN, July 5 (UPI) -- Iran expressed a willingness Saturday to negotiate with the West but won't give up its right to what it calls its peaceful nuclear program.

The comments from government spokesman Gholamhossein Elham came one day after Iran formally responded to a package of economic incentives offered by the so-called "5 plus 1" group of nations, the BBC reported. Neither the exact content of multinational proposal nor the Iranian response have been made public, but Elham's remarks indicated Iran still is not ready to put the brakes on its nuclear program.

Iran "will not go back on its rights on the nuclear issue," Elham said. "Iran's stand regarding its peaceful nuclear program has not changed. Iran insists on negotiations while respecting its rights and avoiding any loss of international rights."

The incentives package was assembled by China, the European Union, France, Russia, Britain and United States. It was offered to Iran by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in June.