This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7990492.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
New nuclear talks offer for Iran New nuclear talks offer for Iran
(30 minutes later)
The six powers co-ordinating policy with Iran over its nuclear ambitions have moved to invite the Iranians for fresh talks on a diplomatic solution.The six powers co-ordinating policy with Iran over its nuclear ambitions have moved to invite the Iranians for fresh talks on a diplomatic solution.
The US, Russia, China, France, Germany and Britain announced they would ask EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana to approach Iran with the offer.The US, Russia, China, France, Germany and Britain announced they would ask EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana to approach Iran with the offer.
In a joint statement, they appealed to Iran to "engage seriously... in a spirit of mutual respect".In a joint statement, they appealed to Iran to "engage seriously... in a spirit of mutual respect".
Iran denies it is seeking to build a nuclear weapon.Iran denies it is seeking to build a nuclear weapon.
It says its nuclear programme is being developed to provide electricity for civilian purposes. The six countries, made up of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, released a statement following a meeting in London.
In a statement, the six countries, know as E3+3, said they "strongly urge Iran to take advantage of this opportunity to engage seriously with all of us in a spirit of mutual respect". In it, they said they "strongly urge Iran to take advantage of this opportunity to engage seriously with all of us in a spirit of mutual respect".
They said they would ask Mr Solana to "extend an invitation to the Iranian government to meet representatives of the E3+3, so that together we may find a diplomatic solution to this critical issue". They said they would ask Mr Solana to "extend an invitation to the Iranian government" to meet their representatives "so that together we may find a diplomatic solution to this critical issue".
The group also reaffirmed their "unity of purpose and collective determination" to resolving the dispute through direct diplomacy and in line with the incentives which have already been offered to Iran. No time frame was given for the proposed offer of talks.
The statement welcomed a recent offer made to Iran by US President Barack Obama of a "new beginning" in their relationship.
The group also reaffirmed its commitment to a "dual track" strategy, promising economic and political assistance if Iran agrees to international demands to halt enrichment operations, but tighter sanctions if they do not.
The six countries fear that Iran's nuclear programme is a cover to build atomic weapons - enriched uranium can be used in nuclear power plants, but can also be used to make atomic weapons.
But Tehran has always insisted it is developing nuclear power for civilian purposes.