According to Blix -- who is now chairman of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission (WMDC), an independent body that works to limit the dangers posed by WMD -- such guarantees could persuade Iran to drop its nuclear plans.

"To avoid Iran going for enrichment, one must go into the concerns they have ... they might be concerned by an attack of the US," Blix told journalists in The Hague where he presented his commission's 2006 report.

Iran announced last April that it had enriched uranium despite calls from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to suspend its nuclear activities.

Tehran risks UN sanctions following its refusal to comply with Security Council resolution 1969 to suspend uranium enrichment.

Many in the international community fear that Iran could use its civil nuclear program for military purposes. Tehran says it has no such intention.

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