Iranian minister optimistic about EU talks

By Peter Kaplan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iran's foreign minister on Sunday expressed optimism about what he said was a "new environment" for talks with major powers over its nuclear program.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said recent discussions over a package of incentives from major powers aimed at getting Iran to curb its nuclear enrichment program were "different from the previous discussions and negotiations."

"I believe that we are now in a new environment with a new approaching perspective," Mottaki said in an interview on CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS.

The comments came two days after Iran delivered its response to the package of trade and other incentives proposed by the United States, China, Russia, Germany, Britain and France to Iran last month.

The six powers have told Iran that formal negotiations on the offer, which includes help to develop a civilian nuclear program, can start as soon as it suspends uranium enrichment.

Iran has thus far rejected that precondition, saying this violates its rights as a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

In the interview, Mottaki also sounded an optimistic note about future relations with the United States.

"We hear new voices in America. We see new approaches, and we think that the rational thinkers in America can, based on these new approaches, seek reality as it is. We are ready to help them in this endeavour," Mottaki said.