To initiate talks with six major powers on global issues, Iran handed over its new package of proposals on Wednesday.
Representatives of six major powers, namely France, Britain, Russia, China, the United States and Germany, involved in talks over Iran's nuclear issue received the packages, a Xinhua photographer said.
Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki delivered the package in a brief ceremony to the four ambassadors of China, Russia, France and Germany, the British charge d'affaires, and the Swiss envoy representing the United States.
Swiss ambassador to Tehran Livia Leu Agosti represented the United States which has broken diplomatic relations with Iran for about 30 years.
Although the contents of the new package were not immediately known, Iran has constantly said that these proposals contain its concern over the global issues, and respect the views of other nations.
What is beneficial and urgent for Iran, on one side, and for major powers, on the other side, is to take steps to initiate the talks which have been suspended for months.
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili reiterated Wednesday that Iran is ready to start a new round of talks with six major powers, adding that no side can impose its will on the other side.
According to local satellite Press TV, Mottaki said Tuesday that "the new package has been updated in the light of the current developments in the world and different events that have happened."
"We hope that we can organize a new round of negotiations within the framework of the new package," he was quoted as saying.
However, Iran has incessantly ruled out the talks which are targeted to the suspension and halt of its "peaceful" nuclear activities.
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stressed on Monday in his first press conference after cabinet vote that Iran's nuclear issue is over and the country will never negotiate on its " undeniable nuclear rights."
"From our view point, the nuclear issue is finished," Ahmadinejad said, adding "we will never negotiate on Iran's obvious rights."
He also said that Iran will continue its work in the framework of global regulations and continue its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
He also urged the West to change its attitude towards Iran's nuclear program and said that "they (the West) will not benefit from continuing their previous attitude" to talk about imposing sanctions which are of no effect.
Earlier, Ahmadinejad said his country welcomes sanctions and "we can manage ourselves."
"No one can pose sanctions on us. We certainly welcome sanctions. We can manage ourselves," Ahmadinejad was quoted by official IRNA news agency as saying.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi also said that sanctions will not affect Iran's legal nuclear claim.
Chinese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that imposing sanctions and pressure on Iran would neither help to resolve its nuclear issue nor be conducive to the resumption of the international talks on the issue.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu made these remarks in response to a question on China's position on imposing further sanctions on Iran.
The United States on Wednesday, however, reiterated that Iran must implement its responsibilities by giving up its disputed nuclear program.
"I think Iran has to live up to its responsibilities and end its illicit nuclear program," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters, "that's not just the opinion of one country, that' s the opinion of the world. Let's hope we can see them to do that. "
U.S. President Barack Obama has set a late September deadline for Tehran to initiate multilateral talks over its disputed nuclear issue, or to face further sanctions.
The United States and other Western countries claim that Iran intends to secretly develop nuclear weapons. The UN Security Council also requires Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activity.
Iran, however, insists that its nuclear plan is only for peaceful purposes, vowing to continue its uranium enrichment activity despite pressure and sanctions from Western countries.
Earlier last week, diplomats from France, Britain, Russia, China, the United States and Germany met in Frankfurt to address the Iranian nuclear issue.
Head of the IAEA Mohamed ElBaradei said recently that there is no evidence that Iran would produce nuclear weapons in the near future.
(Xinhua News Agency September 10, 2009)
