Iran dismisses U.S. talks as ‘propaganda move’

WASHINGTON - The official Iranian news agency said Wednesday the U.S. offer to join in direct talks with Iran about its disputed nuclear program was ” a propaganda move. ”

The American proposal, a major policy shift after decades without official public contact between the two countries, was made conditional on Iran agreeing to stop its uranium enrichment activities.

“It’s evident that the Islamic Republic of Iran only accepts proposals and conditions that meet the interests of the nation and the country. Halting enrichment definitely doesn’t meet such interests,” IRNA said at the end of a dispatch reporting the offer of talks by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

“Given the insistence by Iranian authorities on continuing uranium enrichment, Rice’s comments can be considered a propaganda move,” IRNA said.

Earlier, an Iranian lawmaker was quoted as saying any direct talks with the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program must be held without preconditions.

Kazem Jalali, spokesman for the Foreign Policy and National Security Committee, said the U.S. move might be viewed positively in Tehran if preconditions were dropped, according to the Student News Agency.

“The U.S. offer for talks can be considered positive but the precondition set by the U.S. is not appropriate,” Jalali was quoted as saying. He does not speak for the government.

“The Islamic Republic has announced repeatedly that suspension of uranium enrichment is not in Iran’s agenda,” Jalali said.

Major shift in U.S. policy
Both were responses to a major policy shift by the United States, which said Wednesday it will join other nations in holding direct talks with Iran on its nuclear program if Tehran first agrees to stop disputed nuclear activities that the West fears could lead to a bomb.

“Our message to the Iranians is that one, you won’t have a weapon, and two, that you must verifiably suspend any programs at which point we will come to the negotiating table to work on a way forward,” President Bush said Wednesday in responding to a reporter’s question.

“I thought it was important for the United States to take the lead — along with our partners,” Bush said. “And that’s what you’re seeing. You’re seeing robust diplomacy. I believe this problem can be solved diplomatically and I’m going to give it every effort to do so.”

Rice said that the United States will come to the negotiating table when Iran fully and verifiably suspends its enrichment and reprocessing activities. She said the United States was taking the move to underscore its commitment to a diplomatic solution and to enhance prospects for success.

© 2006 MSNBC.com