Iran: No deadline mentioned in nuke talks

TEHRAN, July 31 (UPI) -- Iran's response to an international package of incentives to suspend its nuclear enrichment program was its own proposal involving more talks, officials said.

The country's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, said no deadline was agreed to in talks between Tehran and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, CNN reported.

Despite comments by other countries, including the United States and EU members, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said no deadline was discussed, reported Press TV, Iran's official broadcaster.

"No deadline was agreed upon during our meetings in Tehran. We delivered our opinions within a month and now they are obliged to announce their reaction," Mottaki said.

The nations offered the package as an inducement to Iran to suspend its enrichment program because Western countries fear Iran may be developing nuclear weapons. Tehran has insisted its program is for civilian purposes.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in an NBC interview reaching "common ground" is possible between the United States and Iran on the nuclear issue.

When asked about Ahmadinejad's comments, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Tuesday, "There is one way for the Iranians to make clear that they have found common ground. It's to come and say, 'We accept the proposal -- this is a good basis for the beginnings for pre-negotiations within a six-week period and then we can suspend our enrichment and reprocessing and we can begin real negotiations.' And the United States ... will be at the table."