Officials say world powers meeting in London have made progress on a package of incentives aimed at persuading Iran to cease its nuclear activities.
But U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the meeting between officials from the five
permanent U.N. Security Council members, plus Germany, ended without an agreement. She says more talks will be needed, perhaps at the ministerial level.
Britain's Foreign Office called the six-party talks "constructive and valuable." It said the parties will continue working on the issue in the coming days.
The officials were discussing proposed European trade and technology incentives for Iran to stop enriching uranium, as well as possible sanctions if the incentives fail. Media reports say the package includes Western aid to build a light-water reactor in Iran for nuclear energy.
Secretary Rice discussed the London meeting at a joint press conference with Mohamed el-Baradei, head of the U.N. nuclear agency, after they met in Washington. El-Baradei said it is important for Iran to take measures so the international community is confident its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Western powers suspect Iran is planning to make a nuclear weapon -- a charge Tehran denies.
Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress the world must face up to the Iranian threat. He condemned the Iranian regime for its hateful rhetoric against Israel.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said today Iran has mastered the entire nuclear fuel cycle. He said Iran has the right to the technology for nuclear energy.
In other news, media reports say Iran test-fired a medium-range missile on Tuesday night. Earlier this year, Iran announced the successful test-firing of several new missiles as part of war games. They included airborne, underwater and land-to-sea missiles.
But U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the meeting between officials from the five
permanent U.N. Security Council members, plus Germany, ended without an agreement. She says more talks will be needed, perhaps at the ministerial level.
Britain's Foreign Office called the six-party talks "constructive and valuable." It said the parties will continue working on the issue in the coming days.
The officials were discussing proposed European trade and technology incentives for Iran to stop enriching uranium, as well as possible sanctions if the incentives fail. Media reports say the package includes Western aid to build a light-water reactor in Iran for nuclear energy.
Secretary Rice discussed the London meeting at a joint press conference with Mohamed el-Baradei, head of the U.N. nuclear agency, after they met in Washington. El-Baradei said it is important for Iran to take measures so the international community is confident its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Western powers suspect Iran is planning to make a nuclear weapon -- a charge Tehran denies.
Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress the world must face up to the Iranian threat. He condemned the Iranian regime for its hateful rhetoric against Israel.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said today Iran has mastered the entire nuclear fuel cycle. He said Iran has the right to the technology for nuclear energy.
In other news, media reports say Iran test-fired a medium-range missile on Tuesday night. Earlier this year, Iran announced the successful test-firing of several new missiles as part of war games. They included airborne, underwater and land-to-sea missiles.