Iran reaction 'heartening' but nuclear freeze still key issue: US

ARTESIA, United States (AFP) - The United States cautiously welcomed Iran's early reaction to an international proposal to end the crisis over its nuclear program, calling it "heartening."

But White House spokesman Tony Snow stuck by Washington's position that progress in talks aimed at resolving the dispute required Tehran to freeze uranium enrichment work, which can make both reactor fuel and weapons.

"I would expect there to be a series of comments and characterizations over the next few days. It's obvious, and I think it is heartening that they will be taking them seriously," said Snow.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the issue was at a sensitive stage and that Iran needed "space" to consider the package of options presented by European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana "because we want to give this every opportunity to succeed."

"The diplomacy, I would say, is at a sensitive stage that this package has been presented to the Iranian government; we want to give them a little bit of space to consider what's in the package, both on the positive as well as the negative side," McCormack said.

Earlier, Iran said the internationally-brokered carrots-and-sticks proposal, details of which have not been formally disclosed, contained "positive steps" but also "ambiguities."

The proposal, designed to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons, was drawn up by Britain, France and Germany and backed by the United States, Russia and China.

"At this point the Iranians are now just beginning to have a glance at the offers -- 'offer' is the wrong term -- at the incentives and disincentives packages that have been offered them," said Snow.

"If the Iranians agree to suspend enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, then we'll be able to discuss more openly what the incentives are, and we certainly hope that that's the case," said Snow.

The White House spokesman, speaking to reporters as President George W. Bush traveled here to push his immigration reform proposals, declined to say whether the United States would be willing to sweeten the deal for Iran.

"No, I'm not going to negotiate, even from Air Force One," he said.