TEHRAN, April 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Mohamed ElBaradei, chief of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said here Tuesday that he personally wished Iran and US would carry out direct talks soon.

    He expressed the wish shortly after he arrived here early Tuesday morning for discussions with top Iranian officials on the country's nuclear program.

    "Although I carry no message from President (George W.) Bush for Iran, I personally wish the Iranians and US officials would get engaged in direct talks soon," said ElBaradei in response to aquestion about whether he carried any message from US President Bush for Iran.

    During his one-day visit, ElBaradei is scheduled to meet with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, Secretary of the National Security Council Hassan Rohani and Vice President and Chairman of the Nuclear Energy Organization Gholam Reza Aghazadeh.

    The United States has repeatedly accused Iran of using its nuclear activities as a cover to build atomic bombs and Bush branded Iran as part of an "axis of evil."

    The two countries cut diplomatic ties after Iran's 1979 IslamicRevolution.

    In a deal with the IAEA late last year, Tehran agreed to suspend uranium enrichment and related activities while UN inspectors delved into its program. Enditem