New Delhi, Feb. 16 -- Days before a second round of talks between Tehran and Washington, Iran threatened to strike US bases in the Middle East if it is attacked by US forces, but on Sunday took a conciliatory line.

"For the sake of an agreement's durability, it is essential that the US also benefits in areas with high and quick economic returns," foreign ministry deputy director for economic diplomacy Hamid Ghanbari said, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

"Common interests in the oil and gas fields, joint fields, mining investments, and even aircraft purchases are included in the negotiations," Ghanbari was quoted by Reuters as saying.

He argued that the 2015 nuclear pact with world powers had not secured US economic int...