US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice delivers remarks to the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations Wednesday, April 19, 2006 in Chicago. -Xinhua/Reuters

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in Chicago on Wednesday that a diplomatic solution could be found to Iran's nuclear crisis.

Speaking to the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations, Rice said "I believe we can make the diplomacy work."

Noting that the UN Security Council has a number of diplomatic options at its disposal, Rice also warned that the United States could choose to act alone or with a coalition if the crisis is not resolved through the United Nations.

"The right to self-defense does not necessarily require a UN Security Council resolution...It is important to note that the (U.S.) president doesn't take any options off the table," she said.

"We are prepared to use measures at our disposal -- political, economic or others to persuade Iran," said Rice, adding that Iran is not Iraq, and that "the remedies before us are quite robust."

The United States suspects Iran is trying to develop weapons under cover of a civilian atomic energy program, Iran vehemently denies the charge.