国际英语新闻：Six nations hail new U.S. diplomatic offer for Iran

BERLIN, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- The diplomats from the UN Security Council's five permanent members and Germany Wednesday issued a joint statement, saying the parties welcomed the offer by U.S President Barack Obama to talk directly with Tehran over its nuclear program and the dispute should be resolved diplomatically.

    The delegations of the six countries, including Britain, China, France, Russian, the U.S. and Germany held a meeting Wednesday in Wiesbaden, near German city Frankfurt to discuss Iran's nuclear issue.

    The six countries will "consult on the next steps as the U.S. administration undertakes a policy review," said the joint statement, and urged Iran to "cooperate fully" with the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency.

    The gathering had been scheduled before Iran late Monday successfully launched a satellite into orbit. The launch has caused concern amongst analysts and government officials in Europe, the U.S. and Israel that Iran may link its satellite programs and its work with missiles and nuclear technology.

    The six countries have offered Tehran a package of economic and energy incentives in exchange for the halting of its uranium enrichment program.

    The U.S. and its allies allege that Iran is using the program as a cover to develop nuclear weapons. At the same time, the Security Council has imposed sanctions to pressure Iran to comply.

    Iran insists it is only seeking nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.