AP, July 4, 2008 (excerpts) – Iran delivered its response Friday to an international offer of economic and other incentives if it suspends a central part of its nuclear program, state television reported.
The report did not say what the response was.
Iran has insisted it will not give up enrichment, saying its only aim is to produce nuclear power, not weapons. But it has said the incentives package has some “common ground” with Tehran’s own proposals for a resolution to the standoff.
Separately, EU nations also approved new sanctions against Iran in June, imposing additional financial and travel restrictions on a list of Iranian companies and experts, including the country’s largest bank.
The six nations _ the U.S., China, Russia, France, Britain and Germany _ first offered a package of economic, technological and political incentives to Tehran nearly two years ago on condition that it suspend enrichment.
The standoff has led to increasingly tense exchanges recently as speculation of a possible military strike mounts.
The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in remarks published Friday that Iran would consider any military action against its nuclear facilities as the beginning of a war.