Iran says it's ready to resume nuke talks

TEHRAN, April 23 (UPI) -- Iran is ready to resume discussions with Western states over its nuclear policy, the head of the country's security council said Thursday.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana agreed by telephone the two sides were ready to meet in a "just atmosphere" based on "mutual respect," said council Secretary Saeed Jalili.

The Iranian official said his country was ready for "constructive dialogue."

Tehran is to present a revised nuclear policy proposal to the United Nation Security Council members, Jalili said.

Jalili said the proposal would "include issues related to international problems," KUNA, the Kuwait news agency, reported.

While Iran is ready to resume negotiations, it also plans, Jalili said, to continue pursuing a peaceful nuclear program based on the production of energy, not weapons, reported IRNA, Iran's news service.

Iran will continue its nuclear activities in "active collaboration" with the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iranian officials told The Tehran Times in a story published Thursday.