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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Iran nuclear position 'unchanged' | Iran nuclear position 'unchanged' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Iran has said its position on its nuclear programme remains unchanged. | Iran has said its position on its nuclear programme remains unchanged. |
| The announcement comes a day after it delivered a formal response to an EU offer of incentives in exchange for halting uranium enrichment. | The announcement comes a day after it delivered a formal response to an EU offer of incentives in exchange for halting uranium enrichment. |
| A government spokesman said the country was prepared to negotiate with major world powers, but would not give up its uranium enrichment programme. | A government spokesman said the country was prepared to negotiate with major world powers, but would not give up its uranium enrichment programme. |
| Correspondents say the wording suggests Iran is not ready to slow down its nuclear activities. | |
| The content of both the EU proposal and the Iranian response have not yet been made public. | The content of both the EU proposal and the Iranian response have not yet been made public. |
| In the first official comments since Iran submitted its response to the EU, spokesman Gholamhossein Elham said that Iran "will not go back on its rights on the nuclear issue". | |
| "Iran insists on negotiations while respecting its rights and avoiding any loss of international rights," he said. | "Iran insists on negotiations while respecting its rights and avoiding any loss of international rights," he said. |
| The BBC's John Leyne in Tehran said it is difficult to see how any talks will last if Iran is unwilling to compromise on its nuclear programme. | |
| Incentives | |
| Stark choice in Iran policy battles | |
| The incentives package from China, the EU, France, Russia, the UK and US was offered to Iran by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in June. | The incentives package from China, the EU, France, Russia, the UK and US was offered to Iran by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in June. |
| Mr Solana also asked Iran to accept a six-week freeze on further developments on its controversial programme, in return for a similar freeze on new UN sanctions. | Mr Solana also asked Iran to accept a six-week freeze on further developments on its controversial programme, in return for a similar freeze on new UN sanctions. |
| Separately, the EU also imposed new sanctions on Iran in June. | Separately, the EU also imposed new sanctions on Iran in June. |
| The incentives package builds on a previous offer of 2006 and says that if Iran suspends uranium enrichment, then talks can start about a long-term agreement. | The incentives package builds on a previous offer of 2006 and says that if Iran suspends uranium enrichment, then talks can start about a long-term agreement. |
| On offer is recognition of Iran's right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and the treatment of Iran in "the same manner" as other states under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. | On offer is recognition of Iran's right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and the treatment of Iran in "the same manner" as other states under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. |
| Iran would get help with developing nuclear power stations and be guaranteed fuel for them. | Iran would get help with developing nuclear power stations and be guaranteed fuel for them. |
| It would also be offered trade concessions, including the possible lifting of US sanctions preventing it from buying new civilian aircraft and parts. | It would also be offered trade concessions, including the possible lifting of US sanctions preventing it from buying new civilian aircraft and parts. |
| Tehran has consistently denied Western claims that it is seeking to build a nuclear weapon, saying its programme is peaceful. | Tehran has consistently denied Western claims that it is seeking to build a nuclear weapon, saying its programme is peaceful. |
| It has repeatedly rejected demands to halt enriching uranium, which can be used as fuel for power plants or material for weapons if refined to a greater degree. | It has repeatedly rejected demands to halt enriching uranium, which can be used as fuel for power plants or material for weapons if refined to a greater degree. |
| Our correspondent says it may be significant that the latest tough comments came from an official close to President Ahmadinejad. | |
| Some officials have hinted that a compromise could be possible, but the president has repeatedly restated his commitment to the nuclear programme. |