Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Wednesday expressed the country's willingness to discuss suspension of nuclear enrichment activities with the Europeans, reflecting an obvious try to soften Iran's hardline stance on the disputed issue.

"Iran is willing to discuss the suspension of our nuclear activities with the European states," Mottaki told reporters after meeting with his visiting Malian counterpart Mokhtar Ouan.

"Even it is not logical for them to demand a suspension of it, we can still discuss it," the foreign minister added.

Mottaki's remarks are not surprise since Iran's top officials had reiterated that the country would like to discuss all the qualms of international community on the country's nuclear issue.

But he was one of the few high-ranking officials in Iran who were trying to use gentle tongue to ease the tensions between Iran and the West since the UN Security Council on July 31 adopted a resolution urging Iran to suspend uranium enrichment work by Aug. 31 or face the prospect of sanctions.

The minister's words on the disputed issue is another try for the country to avoid further criticism and isolation from the international community.

According to some observers, first, the minister's comment indicated a "two-sided method" of the Iranian government when dealing with the sensitive nuclear dispute.

Since the resolution was passed, Iran's top officials have expressed their indignation over the UN demand, warning the United Nations against taking acrimonious measures to force Iran to comply.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday that his country would not accept the resolution, saying "Iranian people do not give in to language of force."

Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel also warned that Iran may quit the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA). In addition, Chief Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani has said Iran would continue its nuclear program regardless of the UN resolution.

Such flinty languages may have two impacts. On the one hand, the Iranian nations can be united and will feel satisfied with their government's foreign policy, believing the president was doing his best to protect the nation's undeniable right.

But on the other hand, such remarks increased Western countries ' distrust over the Iranian government. From the uncompromising language they felt what they called "threat", therefore it would be hard for them to believe that Iran's nuclear program was aimed to generate electricity.

The Iranian government may realize that flinty words some times are not wise, and Mottaki's gentle comments could show his country 's intention to pursue peace and prevent Iran from being isolated by the international community.

Second, the UN Resolution 1696 demanded Iran to halt its nuclear work by Aug. 31, the new diction in it is much more severe than the temptations of the six-nation package presented in June, an indication that the West was losing patience on Iran.

The leeway left to Iran is shrinking since the resolution's deadline is imminent. As a result, Iran wanted to pull the international community back to the negotiation table, avoiding tough measures of possible sanction from the United Nations.

Third, the high pressure from the West on Iran has been lightened during the battle between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah guerillas due to the transfer of international focus, but it seems the pressure will return as the Israel-Hezbollah conflict ended with a ceasefire.

The Western countries and Israel accused Iran of supporting Hezbollah through providing military personnel and fund, which has been denied by Iran, saying it's a made-up story.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said Iran should be involved in the process seeking to establish a truce, showing Iran's important status as a regional power in the Mideast and its mighty influence on the neighboring countries.

However, the war was over, which means the international pressure will be back on Iran, so the country has to lay down the flinty tongue for a while to avoid the coming stress.

Up to now, it seems futureless for Iran to accept the UN demand of halting nuclear work as the issue is central in Iran's foreign policy. The sensitive issue will not only affect the relationship between Iran and the West, but also will decide the result of the country's entire foreign policy.

Even more, it may determine Iran's future and fate. Iran has a quite flexible foreign policy, and will surely pursue its national interests by seeking dialog and negotiations.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2006)