Iran ? Iran is not ruling out talks about its nuclear program with world powers, but conditions for that have to be right, the country’s top diplomat said Saturday, in a statement that appeared to soften Tehran’s persistent refusal to discuss the controversial issue.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said he welcomed talks with the U.S. and its partners, adding that “should conditions be ripe, there is a possibility of talks about the nuclear issue.”

The remarks came as the United States and its partner nations accepted a proposal made earlier this week from Iran for broad talks — even though Tehran had said the nuclear issue was not on the table — and indicated Iran’s eagerness to open a dialogue.

Iran on Wednesday presented the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council — U.S., Russia, France, Britain and China — plus Germany with a proposal to hold “comprehensive, all-encompassing and constructive” talks on a range of security issues, including global nuclear disarmament.