In another letter to Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, European Union's foreign policy chief expressed hope that nuclear talks with Iran will resume this autumn, Germany's DPA agency said citing official sources.

Catherine Ashton earlier wrote a letter to Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili in which she called on Iran to resume negotiations with the Iran Six — the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (Russia, the United States, Britain, France, China) and Germany.

Jalili replied that he was ready to restart talks this September, but on condition that the nuclear status of Israel, which is believed to possess nuclear arsenal, is clarified. The EU should also put aside plans of fresh sanctions on Tehran, the Iranian negotiator added.

"There were positive indications in Dr Jalili's letter that the Iranian authorities are willing to restart a dialogue with [EU] High Representative [Catherine] Ashton," an unnamed spokesman told DPA.

"The High Representative has responded in that spirit, and is hopeful that talks could resume as soon as possible, preferably in autumn," the official added.

AFP said that in her letter Ashton proposed Jalili to discuss "the time and venue for our meeting."

"Issues relating to the Iranian nuclear program must be the focus of our talks, though other subjects ... could also be raised," the agency said.

Western powers suspect Iran of attempting to build nuclear weapons and the UN Security Council approved on June 9 the fourth round of economic sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, including tougher financial controls and an expanded arms embargo.

Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is aimed at generating peaceful civilian energy.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in early July Tehran was ready to resume dialogue with the Iran Six, but would put off talks until the end of August in order to "punish" the West for imposing fresh sanctions. He also said new sanctions would not affect the country's nuclear program.

MOSCOW, July 15 (RIA Novosti)