(CNN) -- Iran has agreed to new talks about its controversial nuclear program with the United States and its allies, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Sunday, the country's official news agency reported.
Iran made the offer through Turkey, a potential host for the talks, he said.
The United States and other countries believe Iran is trying to develop the technology to build a nuclear bomb, but Tehran consistently denies its program has a military aim.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a top U.S. Senate Republican, said Saturday the United States should consider neutering Iran's navy and air force if Tehran does not halt its nuclear program.
Speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada, the South Carolina senator told reporters that there will come a point where Iran's nuclear program will reach the state that a conventional limited air strike "won't take them out.
"We're probably even past that point," he said.
"Instead of a surgical strike on their nuclear infrastructure, I think we're to the point now that you have to really neuter the regime's ability to wage war against us and our allies. And that's a different military scenario. It's not a ground invasion but it certainly destroys the ability of the regime to strike back," said Graham, one of his party's top voices on defense.
The talks between Iran and the so-called P5+1 group have been on hold for more than a year, but Iran has signalled recently it is ready to come back to the table.
CNN
