By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Iran said Tuesday that it respond at the "appropriate" time to an international incentive package aimed at reining in its nuclear program. But it underlined that uranium enrichment would continue despite warnings of new European sanctions if it rejects the offer.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana pressed Iran to respond to the package, which offers economic incentives if Iran agrees to halt enrichment, a process the US and its allies fear Tehran will use to build a nuclear weapon. Tehran says its nuclear program is peaceful.
Solana said Tuesday he cannot wait "years" for a response but hasn't given a deadline. He said the European Union is still pursuing "the double-track approach" of negotiations and sanctions.
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Iran will study the proposals and will respond "at an appropriate time," the official IRNA news agency reported. His deputy Ali Reza Sheikh Attar said Iran will respond "as soon as possible."