Rice reportedly assured Fischer that America was neither planning nor preparing a military assault on Iran, the online site of Der Spiegel magazine said Saturday.

German leaders have repeatedly expressed concern over the latest military threats issued by US President George W Bush, who refused to rule out the military option in Iran.

Meanwhile, Rice signaled support for the ongoing political talks between the European Union and Iran but categorically rejected direct US participation in the sensitive and complicated negotiations.

Fischer has called for a greater American role in the EU-Iran talks ahead of Bush's February 23 visit to Germany.

"The stronger the US engages politically and diplomatically, the greater are our prospects of success," Fischer was quoted as saying Monday in Der Spiegel magazine.

"There exists a real chance to resolve the (Iran) conflict through way of negotiations," the minister was quoted as saying.