Iran and Russia are set to hold talks next Monday regarding Russia's offer to allow Iran to carry out nuclear research on its soil as a means to ease growing tensions over Iran's controversial nuclear program.
"The Iranian side has provided official notification about their arrival on the 20th and the Russian side has given its agreement," Interfax quoted Russian embassy official Vyacheslav Moshkalo as saying, according to the AP.
The deputy secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Javad Vaeedi, confirmed the report, according to the Financial Times, saying that the talks would focus on the use of Russian soil.
Doing so would allow for greater oversight of Iran's program, ensuring that it was for civilian, rather than military purposes.
On February 4, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) decided to refer Iran to the United Nations Security Council for breach of guidelines regarding its nuclear program.
Russia and China have been skeptical of referring Iran to the Council for sanctions, though the United States and the European Union back the move.
The European Union on Tuesday praised Russia for decision for the initiative, saying that it was “playing a constructive role in the search for a diplomatic solution.”
Also on Tuesday, Iran confirmed that it had resumed uranium enrichment at its Natanz plant.
© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
