Tehran - Iran said European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana asked for continuation of talks with Tehran over its controversial nuclear programme, official news agency IRNA reported on Friday

"Solana, in a letter sent to Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili on Thursday, has emphasized the six countries (the five UN veto powers and Germany) are still committed to find a diplomatic solution for the disputed issue," the report said citing a statement released by Jalili's office.

Solana, in response to a letter sent by Jalili last month, has urged both sides to resume negotiation on clarification of a few remaining ambiguities regarding Tehran's nuclear program, the agency added.

Jalili sent a letter to Solana on October 6 over the latest developments in the nuclear dispute with the West and their recent approach against Iran.

The United Nations Security Council has issued four resolutions against Iran calling on the Islamic state to halt its nuclear activities, but did not seek additional sanctions.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the resolutions "pieces of torn paper," and Jalili termed them "not constructive" and merely aimed at "showing solidarity" among the world powers.

The United States and its Western allies accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons but the Islamic State insists that its nuclear projects are peaceful and says that as signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the country has an internationally acknowledged right to a civilian nuclear programme, including uranium enrichment.

Iran has indicated it is ready to hold negotiations with the world powers to settle the dispute, but without any pre-conditions. (dpa)