EU delivers nuclear deal to defiant Iran

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Saturday presented a new offer to Iran on ending the six-year standoff over its nuclear drive...

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Saturday presented a new offer to Iran on ending the six-year standoff over its nuclear drive but Tehran once again rejected the key demand of world powers.

The package drawn up by six world powers offers Iran economic and trade incentives in a bid to resolve a crisis that has raised fears of regional conflict, pushed up oil prices and seen Iran hit by UN sanctions.

Solana presented the offer during talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, his spokeswoman said in a statement.

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But just hours into Solana’s visit, Iran’s government spokesman rejected the apparent main condition of the offer — that Tehran suspends uranium enrichment, a process that can be used to make a nuclear bomb.

“Iran’s stance is clear. The precondition of a halt and suspension of nuclear activities cannot be brought up,” Gholam Hossein Elham told reporters.

“If it exists (a demand for a suspension of enrichment) it cannot be considered at all. If the issue of suspension is relied upon, the (nuclear) issue will not change.”

Expectations of a breakthrough had already been low, especially after repeated vows by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that Tehran would never back down.

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US President George W. Bush said Elham’s comments amounted to an outright rejection of the package.

“I am disappointed that the leaders rejected this generous offer out of hand,” he said after talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.