The door remained open for Iran to discuss its nuclear program, even if the United Nations agreed to impose sanctions, said visiting French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy yesterday.

Addressing a press conference during his visit here, the French foreign minister said: "if Iran agrees to suspend its nuclear activities, negotiations can begin again."

The group of six countries -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States -- "are analyzing the situation, to see what can be done to repair relations with the Iranians," said Douste-Blazy.

He added that France's plan was to make sure dialogue was continued.

Iran's nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani and the EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana have failed to reach agreement on the matter.

The French foreign minister warned, "Meetings and more meetings with the international community buy Iran time." He said that the international community should act in a firmand-united manner.

Douste-Blazy also expressed his hope that Iran would "accept this historic opportunity and not isolate itself from the international community".