Iran has told world powers it is ready to resume talks as soon as possible over its disputed nuclear program, according to a letter obtained today by The Associated Press.

It is an offer that could reflect Iran’s difficulty in coping with tough US and European sanctions, or amount to another delaying tactic as it moves ahead with activities that may bring it closer to developing an atomic bomb.

The letter from chief Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, was sent last Tuesday, just a day before Iran claimed two major advances in producing nuclear fuel and indicated it was on the verge of imposing an oil embargo on European countries to retaliate for sanctions.

The Obama Administration dismissed the announcements as unimpressive and said Tehran’s erratic behaviour was indicative of the squeeze it is feeling.

The UN Security Council and Germany, are demanding that Iran freeze all uranium enrichment.