Iran's top nuclear negotiator said here on Thursday that Iran would never abandon its right to enrich uranium and was ready to continue talks with world powers at any time.

The remarks of Seed Jalili came after his meeting with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Wednesday.

"Last night we had long, useful talks. We are ready to continue our talks with the (six powers) whenever they are ready, before or after the presidential election in Iran. Talks will take place soon," Jalili said without giving a date.

He said "Even after the elections in Iran, the people of Iran will not allow their right to enrichment to be taken away," adding that international sanctions on Iran should be lifted.

Iran is under the West's substantive political and economic sanctions due to its controversial nuclear program. The West suspects that Iran's nuclear activities may have military motives, while the latter stresses that they are for civilian use only. Endi