Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on Friday that the Iranian government would cooperate with the IAEA to draw up a plan of action on how to resolve Iran's disputed nuclear issue.

After two hours of talks with Iran's nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, ElBaradei told the media that the meeting was "quite satisfying," and Iran had shown its willingness to clarify the pending questions on its nuclear program.

The IAEA and Iran were drawing up "a plan of action," including details about the cooperation, the IAEA chief said.

The plan would be concluded within two months, he added.

ElBaradei and Larijani did not mention whether Iran's willingness to cooperate was based on the promise that Iran would suspend its uranium enrichment activities.

Larijani also spoke of "good progress" in the meeting, and said that the talks with Elbaradei would be "quite helpful with the process that Mr. Solana is working on to reach an understanding and a solution."

Larijani is due to meet EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in Lisbon on Saturday, seen as the last chance to overcome a stand-off over Tehran's nuclear program.

Britain, the United States and other major powers have started drafting tougher sanctions against Iran.

The United Nation Security Council imposed sanctions on Iran with resolution 1747, ratified in March, while Tehran stressed the peaceful purposes of its nuclear program and insisted on uranium enrichment activities.

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2007)