Iran issued their reply to the EU-US package of “incentives” today—another ploy to buy time to complete their Manhattan Project: Iran ready for ‘serious’ nuclear talks.

The negotiator, Ali Larijani, hand-delivered Iran’s response to a Western package of nuclear incentives aimed at persuading it to suspend enrichment. He gave the reply to ambassadors from Britain, China, Russia, France, Germany and Switzerland, state-run television said, without disclosing details.

“Iran is prepared as of Aug. 23 to enter serious negotiations” with the countries that proposed the package, state-run television quoted Larijani as telling the envoys.

Iranian officials close to the meeting said Iran offered a “new formula” to resolve the dispute as part of its formal response to the Western incentive package. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information.

“Iran has provided a comprehensive response to everything said in the Western package. In addition, Iran, in its formal response, has asked some questions to be answered,” one official said, without elaborating.

UPDATE at 8/22/06 8:52:15 am:

As of 8:52 am Pacific, August 22, 2006, there is no sign of the approaching end of the world.