Top Iranian security official signals it may resume nuclear negotiations if the U.S. abandons military options.

DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran could hold direct nuclear talks with the United States if conditions are suitable, first Vice President Mohammadreza Aref said on Tuesday, according to state media. But he said U.S. demands for Tehran to drop uranium enrichment entirely were "a joke".

Britain, Germany and France have told UN officials that snapback sanctions are on the table if Iran does not sit down to negotiate over its nuclear weaponry.