U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says she hopes Iran will seriously consider a new package of incentives to suspend its nuclear activities. The world's major powers agreed on the package Thursday in Vienna. It also includes United Nations Security Council action if Iran refuses to halt uranium enrichment and reprocessing.
In a series of interviews with American media, Rice said the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany are hopeful that Iran will respond within weeks once the offer is presented.
Russia and China have been opposed to threatening Iran. But Rice told CNN television that Russia and China have signed on to the two paths approach of incentives and punishment. Diplomats say Britain, France and Germany are expected to formally invite Iran to begin negotiations within days.