Visiting US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday that diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear issues are working.

Gates made the remarks at a joint press conference in Tel Aviv, following the meeting with his Israeli counterpart Amir Peretz.

"We both agreed that it was important to deal with the Iranian nuclear problem through diplomacy, which appears to be working," he said.

Gates said the UN Security Council has already passed two resolutions imposing sanctions on Iran for its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, adding that the diplomatic efforts should be given a chance to succeed.

For his part, Peretz said the year of 2007 would be a critical year for preventing Iran from achieving nuclear weapons.

Both the United States and Israel have accused Iran of trying to achieve nuclear weapons. Iran denies the accusation, saying that its nuclear program is only for peaceful purpose.

Gates' visit to Israel is the first by a US defense secretary in eight years. He will also meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

(Xinhua News Agency April 19, 2007)