A senior adviser to Iran's supreme leader indicated yesterday that Tehran could look favourably on the recent international offer put to it over its nuclear programme, describing the proposal as acceptable "in principle".

Ali-Akbar Velayati, a former foreign minister who advises Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on international issues, said it was "expedient" for Iran to resume negotiations on the offer, which is designed to encourage the country to suspend parts of its nuclear programme.