"We are in the process of examining the European proposal, to hear the latest things that the Europeans have to say to us, and we will give a response next week," Ali Agha Mohammadi told AFP.

European diplomats had said on Friday that Iran wanted the talks aimed at guaranteeing its nuclear program is peaceful to resume soon, with a major meeting within one month.

Iran had agreed last month to resume talks in August, after its presidential elections on June 17 and after the EU comes up with concrete proposals at the end of July on cooperation with Tehran over its nuclear program.

An EU diplomat said Iran however had on Thursday notified ambassadors in Tehran that this calendar was not acceptable, adding that "this was really a big surprise".