Iran Defends Legality of its Nuclear Program
VOA News
30 Jun 2003, 15:19 UTC
The head of Iran's nuclear program says his country's cooperation with Russia is in full compliance with international law.
Iranian nuclear energy chief Gholamreza Aghazadeh is in Moscow for talks with senior Russian officials, amid continuing international concern that Tehran is secretly trying to develop atomic weapons.
Mr. Aghazadeh met with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov Monday to discuss the two nation's cooperation in nuclear and other fields. Russian news agencies quote Mr. Ivanov as saying ties between Russia and Iran should expand over the coming years.
Russia is helping Iran build a nuclear power plant in the port city of Bushehr, despite pressure from the United States to end the effort.
Moscow also has been urging Iran to cooperate more closely with U.N. nuclear inspectors, to ease concerns about Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and is limited to generating energy.
Today's talks comes one day after British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw conferred with Iranian officials in Tehran about the nuclear issue. Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi told Mr. Straw Tehran will not sign an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency to allow surprise inspections of its nuclear sites by U.N. officials.
Earlier this month, Mr. Aghazadeh had expressed optimism that Iran and the IAEA can reach agreement on more intrusive inspections as demanded by U.N. officials.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said his government has some serious questions about Tehran's nuclear program, but that Iran is a traditional partner with whom Russia has developed international cooperation.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.
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