But he made clear he would not be giving a response yet to a package of technological, economic and political incentives offered by major powers if Iran suspends uranium enrichment, which the West fears is intended to produce nuclear weapons, Reuters reports.

"We are serious about continuing negotiations and will start next Tuesday with talks," Larijani told reporters at a brief joint photo session. He said he had accepted Thursday's dinner invitation "out of respect" for Solana but, asked whether he had brought a preliminary response from Tehran, he said: "We will talk about it on Tuesday."