By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Iran's top nuclear negotiator told him Thursday that Tehran was interested in "serious and constructive negotiations" with Britain, France and Germany over its atomic program.
During a 40-minute telephone conversation, he said, Ali Larijani said Iran wanted to resume negotiations with the Europeans, but this time favored a deadline.
"He affirmed to me that they are interested in serious and constructive negotiations but within a timeframe, indicating that the last time they did it for 2 1/2 years and no result," Annan told reporters.
The statement came after the British, French and German foreign ministers said negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program had reached a "dead end" and the Islamic republic should be referred to the UN Security Council, which could impose sanctions.