Iran says open to more talks with Europe, maybe US

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia, May 30 (Reuters) Iran made conciliatory gestures to the West today in a stand-off over its nuclear programme, saying it was ready to talk to European powers and perhaps even its chief opponent, the United States.

''We express our readiness for resumption of negotiations with (the) EU three. In Tehran, ambassadors of those countries have been informed about our position,'' Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said, referring to European Union members Britain, Germany and France.

Speaking after a meeting of non-aligned states in Malaysia, Mottaki also raised the prospect of resuming direct talks with the United States provided it changed its ''behaviour''.

Washington is chief among the Western powers that suspect Iran is trying to develop a nuclear bomb. Iran denies this and says it wants to develop nuclear energy.

''For the time being, we have suspended direct talks (with the United States). After a change of their behaviour, we may consider again,'' Mottaki said, adding that Iran was open to talks with other parties provided there were no pre-conditions.

Earlier today, the 114-member Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) asserted Iran's right to develop peaceful nuclear technology and warned against any attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Iran has said in the past that it is ready to hold talks but has shown no sign of meeting the key demand of European countries and the United States that it stop enrichment, the most sensitive part of the nuclear-fuel cycle. It has said no incentives would encourage it to give up enrichment.

''Iran is ready to respond positively to the call made by NAM for resuming the negotiations on Iran's nuclear issue without any pre-conditions,'' Mottaki said.

''The level of enrichment is enrichment for peaceful purposes,'' he added, when asked about the enrichment issue.

''I mean the level which makes us able to produce fuel for our nuclear power plants. It means we are not going to a level of enrichment for other purposes, including military purposes.'' Britain, Germany and France have led European talks with Iran.

They negotiated a suspension of Iran's nuclear enrichment in 2003 but that deal broke down in August 2005. The three countries then called off further talks in January this year.

REUTERS SY BD1927