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Iran told world powers it is ready to resume stalled nuclear talks at the "earliest" opportunity as long as they respect its right to peaceful atomic energy, according to a letter seen by Thursday. 

Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, made the offer in a letter to European Union chief diplomat Catherine Ashton, who represents the United States, France, Britain, Germany, China and Russia in the talks. 

"We voice our readiness for dialogue on a spectrum of various issues which can provide ground for constructive and forward looking cooperation," Jalili wrote in the letter dated February 14. 

He said Iran welcomed a statement in a letter sent by Ashton on "respecting Islamic Republic of Iran’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy consistent with the NPT (nuclear non-proliferation treaty)." 

"No doubt that by committing to this approach, our talks for cooperation based on step by step principles and reciprocity on Iran’s nuclear issue could be commenced," Jalili wrote. 

"Constructive and positive attitude towards Islamic Republic of Iran’s new initiatives in this round of talks could open positive perspective for our negotiation," he said, without spelling out the initiatives. 

"Therefore, within this context, I propose to resume our talks in order to take fundamental steps for sustainable cooperation in the earliest possibility in a mutually agreed venue and time." 

Ashton had written in her letter to Jalili in October that a solution was possible only if the talks focused on addressing Western concerns over the nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. 

The United States and other Western powers suspect that Iran is seeking to build a nuclear bomb, but Tehran denies the charge, insisting it is merely trying to meet its energy needs. 

The last round of talks collapsed in Turkey in January 2011. 

Iran’s tardy reply to Ashton appeared to be linked to the timing of nuclear announcements on Wednesday, which collectively suggested the country had made strides in its atomic activities despite severe Western and UN sanctions.

Iran has started loading domestically made nuclear fuel into Tehran research reactor: State TV

TEHRAN: State television reported on Wednesday that Iran has made advances in its nuclear programme, building new uranium enrichment centrifuges and producing its own nuclear reactor fuel plates. 

The announcement, due to be confirmed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad later Wednesday, was likely to further unsettle theUnited States and allies who believe Iran is also forging ahead with atomic weapon development. 

Meanwhile, the Obama administration has urged the world to isolate the Islamic country in the wake new nuclear announcements.

TEHRAN: Iran has stopped oil exports to six European states in retaliation for European Union sanctions imposed on the Islamic state’s key export, its English-language Press TV reported on Wednesday. 

"Iran cuts its oil exports to six European countries," Press TV reported. 

Press TV said Iran has stopped exporting oil to Netherlands, Greece, France, Portugal, Spain and Italy. 

Brent crude oil prices were up $1 a barrel to $118.35 shortly after the announcement. 

The EU’s 27 member states have decided to stop importing crude from Iran from July 1 over its disputed nuclear program, which the West says is aimed at building bombs. Iran denies this. 

Iran’s oil minister said on February 4 that the Islamic state would certainly cut its oil exports to "some" European countries.