UNITED NATIONS, May 12: Calling on the United States to open direct negotiations with Iran the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Wednesday asked Tehran “to back away from its “this” aggressive posture and be open to discussions.

He reiterated that US and Iran should have direct talks adding “I have also spoken directly with the American authorities. I think it would help.

“I think that no-one is saying that they (Iranians) are not entitled to peaceful use of nuclear energy,” Mr Annan said talking to reporters on Wednesday afternoon.

“What is being discussed, is indeed, if it is only nuclear, the international community will need some reassurance, and I would hope that, when a package is put together and they discuss it, including enhanced inspections and other things, the Iranians and the international community will be able to come to a clear understanding”, he observed.

However, Mr Annan added that Iranian have a responsibility to communicate and to show that their intention is peaceful.”

Saying that the level of rhetoric on the Iranian nuclear issue should be reduced the UN chief said: “I think the Council has taken this issue very seriously and they are discussing it. What is important is that they are trying to find a solution that the Council as a whole can unite behind it, and I think that is very important.”

“On these kinds of issues, the council has a greater voice when it speaks with one voice, and I hope we can find a solution. What is important here is that everybody seems to realize that we need to intensify diplomatic efforts and find a solution,” Mr Annan said. US firm in refusing direct talks with Iran

AFP adds: The United States rejected UN chief Kofi Annan’s call on Friday that it hold direct talks on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, saying Tehran was interested only in “delaying and stalling” resolution of the dispute.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Washington was comfortable backing European and Russian efforts to negotiate an end to Iran’s suspected drive to develop nuclear weapons.

“We believe that we are following the right diplomatic process now,” he said. “We have been in support of the EU-3, we have been in support of the Russian government in their direct negotiations with the Iranian government.”