Russia: Iran not a threat

MOSCOW, June 22 (UPI) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Friday said Moscow wants to prove to the United States that Iran is not a threat.

"The U.S. is convinced that Iran is a threat. We are ready to prove -- using the radar if necessary -- that these fears are unwarranted," Lavrov said in an interview on Vesti-24 television, RIA-Novosti reported.

Lavrov said the Russians will use their Gabala radar station to show fears of Iran are unjustified, Interfax reported.

Lavrov also said Moscow wants to reach an agreement with Washington on missile defense, RIA Novosti reported.

"What we have so far is an agreement to arrange a meeting between the Russian and U.S. presidents to discuss this issue. There is an agreement to set up a joint working group, and we will do our best to convert these contacts into results," Lavrov told Vesti-24. "I am convinced that the commander-in-chief, the general staff and the Defense Ministry will do everything to make us feel confident about Russia's security."

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit U.S. President George Bush in Maine in early July. Putin aide Igor Shuvalov has said that meeting is not expected to result in a missile defense agreement.