Iranian nukes

MOSCOW, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Russian and U.S. officials said their positions are in agreement regarding Iran's nuclear program.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in Moscow during a European trip, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Iran should be allowed to have a peaceful nuclear program but both expressed opposition to Tehran becoming a nuclear weapons power.

Iran has contended its program was always for peaceful ends but some outside the country doubted that. The recent revelation of a secret nuclear facility seemed to support Iran wasn't fully forthcoming about its intentions.

Clinton said Iran is a "matter of serious concern" and, while the United States wasn't seeking additional sanctions on Tehran currently, more penalties could be the result if talks with Tehran don't show progress.

Lavrov said the U.S. and Russian stances "coincide" in respect to Iran.

Russia has often fought implementing sanctions in Iran, with which it has substantial trade and business deals, but the news of the secret Iranian nuclear facility near Qom has made the Russian leadership more amenable to such diplomatic steps.