Report says Russia to examine Iran's nuclear ideas

By Zahra Hosseinian

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Russia was quoted as saying on Tuesday it was ready to examine Iranian proposals to end a deadlock over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme.

Iranian media said Valentin Sobolev, acting secretary of Russia's National Security Council, made the comments at talks with top Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili.

On Monday Jalili said Iran had drawn up "serious" ideas to end the atomic row.

The United States and European states accuse the Islamic Republic of mastering technology to make nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian programme. Iran says its goal is peaceful.

Iran's official IRNA news agency, citing Sobolev, said that "Russia was ready to examine Iran's proposed package and to find a way out of this existing deadlock."

"Russia supports the Islamic Republic of Iran's right in using peaceful nuclear energy," it quoted Sobolev as saying. He is expected to meet President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki before leaving Iran on Wednesday.

Iran has not revealed details about its proposals.

"Iran's proposed package is a new chance for constructive cooperation aimed at creating regional and international peace and stability," Jalili said.  Continued...