TEHRAN, Russia, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- A Russian delegation is in Tehran negotiating an offer to Iran for a joint uranium enrichment program, Russia's defense minister said Monday.
"The Iranian nuclear problem does exist, and it needs to be dealt with by political and diplomatic means and within the framework of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)," Sergei Ivanov told reporters, Interfax News Agency reported.
Iran recently announced plans to resume nuclear research, ending a two-year-old agreement with Britain, France and Germany. The country's diplomats also snubbed a meeting with the IAEA.
Konstantin Kosachyov, chairman of the Duma International Affairs Committee, told a Moscow radio station that Russia is one of Iran's few remaining partners and hopes to use its close relationship to convince Iran to remain within the framework of IAEA guidelines.
