Monday, May 15 2006 10:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Brushing aside calls for direct talks with Iran over its controversial uranium enrichment programme, a top US official has asserted that the United Nations is the 'right forum' to deal with the issue.

"We think the framework we have is even better, we have a number of countries that are engaged with Iran on this issue, we are supportive of those discussions," National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley said in a television talk show yesterday (May 14, 2006).

Despite pressure from the international community to start direct negotiations with Tehran, the US administration insists the UN Security Council is the best forum to deal with the subject.

"The forum has now shifted to a discussion in the UN Security Council where the international community as a whole, of which the United States is a part, can make clear to Iran what it needs to do. We think that's the right forum at this time for this issue," Hadley told CNN's 'Late Edition'.

"We are looking at the kinds of sanctions that might be applied if it does not make the right choice. We're also looking at the kinds of benefits that might be applied if Iran does make the right choice," he said referring to talks going on between European powers, the US, Russia and China.

"There have been a lot of opportunities for Iran to make the right choice, which is respond to the will of the international community and give assurances, by getting out of the enrichment business, that it is not pursuing a nuclear bomb," the top White House official added.