Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan yesterday jointly voiced support for a negotiated settlement to Iran's disputed nuclear program.

Following their meeting in Madrid, Annan told reporters that Iran must assure the international community that its intentions were peaceful and clear up the doubts over its nuclear program.

Zapatero said Spain was in line with the European Union's position that Iran should not develop nuclear weapons and "political dialogue will achieve an understanding with Teheran."

He underscored the importance of talks between EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, saying Iran could send important signals to the international community through these talks.

Annan added that he had useful and interesting discussions with Iranian authorities during his recent visit to Tehran, during which the Iranians refused to halt uranium enrichment activities but were ready to negotiate.

"Suspension (of uranium enrichment) can be part of these negotiations, and an agreement to suspend can be reached after negotiating, but it cannot be a prerequisite," Annan said.