Iran proposes talks with powers

Iran has presented a new package of proposals for talks with major world powers. The proposals come as the International Atomic Energy Agency is holding a meeting in Vienna.

On Wednesday,Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki gave the proposals to diplomats representing the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, in Tehran.

In Vienna, the Iranian Ambassador to the IAEA says his country has opened a window of opportunity for talks.

Ali Asghar Soltanien, Iranian ambassador to IAEA, said, "The package is for negotiation. The basis of negotiations would be this package. And during the process of negotiations, all parties in an open-minded pragmatic manner, have to deal with the issues and any parties in any negotiations has the right to reflect there viewpoints and comments on it."

Tehran says its proposals address global nuclear and other "challenges", including crises in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Palestinian territories..

But it is not clear whether they would be enough to avert further sanctions on Iran.

The US and its European allies have given Iran until the end of September to take up an offer of diplomatic and trade incentives, if it suspends uranium enrichment. Iran could face harsher sanctions if it does not comply.

Iran says its nuclear program is aimed at producing electricity and has repeatedly rejected demands to halt uranium enrichment.