Iran's FM Manouchehr Mottaki (File)

 Iran's foreign minister says the country is preparing a new "package" of proposals to serve as a basis for talks with the West.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters in Tehran Saturday that the package concerns political, economic and international issues.

His comments come a day after U.S. President Barack Obama said Iran has until September to show a willingness to negotiate to end its controversial nuclear activities, or it could face more international sanctions.

Many in the international community accuse Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran says its program is for peaceful, civilian purposes.

Mr. Obama also relayed a message from a summit in Italy of the Group of Eight world leaders condemning Iran's crackdown on demonstrators following the country's disputed election. He called the treatment of protesters "appalling."

Demonstrations broke out after a June 12 election that reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi said was rigged. The Iranian government says incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won by a landslide.