TEHRAN - Visiting Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu has urged Iran to enhance cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Ma made the remarks Sunday during talks with Ali Baqeri, deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

Ma, who started a two-day visit to Iran on Sunday, said his visit was aimed at exchanging views with Iran on its nuclear issue in a candid and in-depth way.

Under current circumstances, Ma said, China is willing to maintain close communication with related parties to promote the early resumption of talks between the six nations - Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany - and Iran.

China encourages Iran to enhance cooperation with the IAEA in a bid to put the Iranian nuclear issue on the course of dialogue, he said.

Teheran said it is willing to resume the talks with the six nations at an early date and continue to strengthen cooperation with the IAEA.