TEHRAN BBC News) - Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, says his country is ready to compromise over its nuclear program.

He told the BBC that Iran was willing to discuss concerns about its nuclear activities and and offer guarantees.

Asked whether there were any circumstances in which Iran would suspend enrichment research, Mr. Larijani said there were not.

"They should not ask a brave nation with very good scientists to expect not to engage in nuclear research," he said in an interview with BBC Tehran correspondent Frances Harrison.

However, he called for a resumption of talks in search for a compromise.

"If they want guarantees of no diversion of nuclear fuel we can reach a formula acceptable to both sides in talks."

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Thursday that it was clear the West's threats were "politically motivated".

"We are asking them to step down from their ivory towers and act with a little logic," he said.

Europeans Germany, France and Britain have been negotiating with Iran but broke off talks after Tehran announced this month it was resuming nuclear research under the supervision of the UN nuclear inspectors.

Iranian and Chinese top diplomats talk on phone

Iran and China discussed bilateral relations as well as key regional and international developments.

According to Xinhua news agency, Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki held a telephone conversation with his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing late Wednesday.

Xinhua added that during the conversation, Li outlined China's stance on Iran's nuclear activities.

China has called for settlement of Iran's nuclear case within the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan reiterated Thursday that Beijing still supports diplomatic efforts by different sides to settle the standoff over Iran's nuclear program.

He expressed hope the negotiating sides would be patient to settle the case through negotiations and in an appropriate manner.

Africa urges West to seek dialogue with Iran

South Africa urged Western governments on Wednesday to seek dialogue with Iran to reduce tensions in a standoff over Tehran's planned use of nuclear technology.

"We appeal to all parties to refrain from any action that could further increase tension and confrontation," the South African foreign ministry said after talks between deputy foreign minister Aziz Pahad and his Iranian counterpart Mehdi Mostafavi.

South Africa, which has close ties with Iran, is one of Tehran's main allies in the IAEA and has said Iran has the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

"South Africa believes there is no alternative to continuing dialogue and negotiations to reach a long-term agreement that takes due consideration of the rights, obligations, concerns and aspirations of all," it said in a statement issued in Pretoria.

Mostafavi earlier briefed Pahad and other South African officials on Tehran's nuclear plans.

South Africa said it would work within the context of the IAEA and Nuclear Proliferation Treaty to find a solution to the Iran problem.

South Africa fiercely opposes forcing nations to abandon uranium enrichment.

Annan reiterates talks on Iran’s nuclear issue

"My own advice to the Iranians is to create an environment that will allow the negotiations to go forward," UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan told reporters Thursday.

"They should not escalate. They should not press ahead with their nuclear-fuel research."

The United States has demanded Iran promptly face the Security Council but Annan is more hesitant. Last week he spoke to Iranian officials, drawing a veiled rebuke from U.S. Ambassador John Bolton.

Annan said, "I would hope that the discussions go on (and) the Iranians will see the need to come back to the table -- but come back to the table in a genuine spirit of searching for a solution."

However, he said, "if all else fails" the Security Council would have to deal with the controversy. Asked what else could fail, Annan said, "When I say all else fails, I mean once we have exhausted the atomic-agency process, which is still ongoing, it may well end up here and the council will have to tackle it."

Bolton, asked on Wednesday about Annan's talk with Larijani, said, "I think that incident fortunately is behind us. This is a decision for member governments in the Security Council to take, and that is what we are preparing to do."