Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said yesterday that his country was ready to help promote a sustainable peace in the Middle East, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Iran's recent response to a six-nation nuclear package of proposals also dealt with security arrangements of the region, Larijani said.

"Given the present sensitive conditions of the region, Iran is prepared to promote a sustainable peace in the region," he said, adding that Tehran is prepared to enter into "serious and constructive" talks on the nuclear issue.

"As declared earlier, we are ready to hold talks with our European negotiators and still expect to hear their views on executive procedures for start of negotiations," he said. Iran's response is to eliminate concerns of the other party and protect Iran's rights to nuclear energy at the same time, he said.

Larijani on Tuesday issued Iran's official reply to the package authored by the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany in June in an effort to resolve the disputed nuclear issue.

The package includes both incentives aimed at persuading Iran to suspend uranium enrichment and possible sanctions if Iran does not comply.

The United States said on Wednesday that Iran's response fell short of conditions of a UN Security Council resolution.

"The response, however, falls short of the conditions set by the Security Council, which require the full and verifiable suspension of all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, "U.S. State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said in a statement.

On July 31, the Security Council adopted a resolution urging Tehran to "suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development" by Aug. 31 or face the prospect of sanctions.

Iran has rejected the resolution, saying it has no legal basis.