Official: Iran is ready for nuclear talks

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran's state TV is quoting the country's top nuclear negotiator as saying Tehran is ready to cooperate with world powers to ease fears over its nuclear program and has prepared a revised package of proposals to present to Western countries.

The U.S. has given Iran a deadline at the end of September to take up an offer of nuclear talks with six world powers and enjoy trade incentives should it suspend uranium enrichment activities. If not, Iran could face harsher sanctions.

Iran has vowed it will never suspend enrichment work but is ready to provide guarantees that its nuclear activities won't be diverted toward producing weapons.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili spoke to reporters on Tuesday.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's conservative-dominated parliament is supporting President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's nominee for defense minister, who is wanted by Argentina in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish cultural center in Buenos Aires.

Gen. Ahmad Vahidi's nomination has already drawn an outcry from Argentina and Jewish groups but Iranian lawmakers hailed him as a hero with cries of "Death to Israel" as he addressed the chamber Tuesday.

The support raises the likelihood Vahidi will be confirmed as defense chief when parliament votes Wednesday.

Vahidi is one of five prominent Iranians sought by Argentina in the bombing, which killed 85 people. He was the commander of a special unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guard known as the Quds Force at the time of the attack.