Iran replies to six nations' nuke query

TEHERAN: Iran has handed over its written reply to a six-country backed proposal to defuse the row over its nuclear program to European Union (EU) officials, Iran's Fars News Agency said yesterday.

An EU official in Brussels, however, could not confirm the report.

The six countries have offered to refrain from steps to impose more UN sanctions if Iran freezes expansion of its nuclear work - an initial step to get talks going on a broader resolution to the standoff.