A top China envoy urged Iran to accept a package of incentives in return for halting uranium enrichment.

In Tehran, Deputy Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai told Iranian opposite number Ali Larijani that China hoped Iran would “seize the opportunity to respond to the package in a positive way.” Five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany, offered the incentives package in exchange for a pledge that Iran would halt its nuclear programme. Iran said it will respond to the offer by August 22. It could face sanctions for a refusal.