Berlin, Sept 26, IRNA - The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Mohammad ElBaradei called for direct talks between the US and Iran directed at settling the dispute over Tehran's nuclear program.

"The only option I see are negotiations. The sooner we have direct negotiations, the sooner there will be a perspective towards a solution," ElBaradei said Friday in an interview with the online site of the Munich-based Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.

Talks have to include Iran's regional role, Israel's atomic program and the Mideast process, he added.

The UN nuclear watchdog chief has repeatedly urged "confidence- building" talks between the West and Iran geared at ending the impasse over Tehran's nuclear program.

ElBaradei had also reiterated mutual confidence could only be restored through "direct talks."

Iran has time and again voiced readiness to hold unconditional comprehensive negotiations with the US.