Iran offers to talk on nuclear programme

In a new bid to end growing concerns about its nuclear programme, Iran has offered to hold talks with Britain and five other world powers. The country's nuclear programme has raised concerns it could be used to produce nuclear weapons.

The move comes on an invitation by chief EU envoy Catherine Ashton last month and Iranian officials' statements that they were ready for talks.

Though Ashton has described the Iranian offer as '' a very important'' development, the move does not seem to have cut much ice with other countries who view it in the context of the country's stubborn refusal to halt uranium enrichment despite United Nations Security Council sanctions over the last eight years. They discount any hope of a breakthrough in the issue.

According to German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle the readiness to talk should be viewed positively, but the signals need to be followed up with really concrete talks.

Tehran has said although its uranium enrichment is primarily designed for nuclear power production, it could be used to manufacture weapons-grade uranium. 

Even as Tehran invokes its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, international scepticism over the country's real intent behind the programme is growing, especially given its refusal to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to follow up on US and other intelligence detailing alleged Iranian experiments aimed at making nuclear arms.