Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Manouchehr Mottaki said on Thursday that Iran was ready to hold talks with the United States but would not halt uranium enrichment activities.

Mottaki made the statements one day after the U.S. said that it would join the European countries in talks with Iran over its disputed nuclear issue if Tehran suspends enrichment.

Foreign Ministers of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council-- the U.S., Britain, France, Russia and China-- plus Germany are scheduled to meet in Vienna later on Thursday over a new European package of incentives if Tehran suspends uranium enrichment and possible sanctions if it continues.

Washington, which severed diplomatic relations with Tehran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has accused Iran of secretly developing atomic weapons under a civilian front, a charge denied by Iran, which insists its nuclear program is fully peaceful.

Source: Xinhua