TEHRAN, February 25 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's proposal on the creation of a joint venture for uranium enrichment is the only realistic option that can suit both the West and Iran, and help resolve the crisis, a ranking source within the Russian delegation said Saturday.
"The door remains open, and we will do our best to keep it open until voting begins at the IAEA Board of Governors," the source said at the end of negotiations between the Russian and Iranians nuclear energy chiefs.
At the same time, the delegation member said Russia had no evidence to show that Iran was pursuing a military program.
"We have no evidence indicating that Iran is developing nuclear weapons nor can we say that the opposite is true. Russia's position is not to participate in negotiations on the issue [Iran's nuclear problem] and not to bring charges against Iran, but it is ready to contribute toward resolving the crisis," he said.
The official added that "any sovereign state has a right to use atomic energy for peaceful purposes, but at the same time we believe that the nonproliferation regime must not be breached."
"Tehran should resume the uranium enrichment moratorium," he said.
The mooted deal between Iran and Russia, which is currently building an $800-million plant near the port city of Bushehr in the south of the country, is seen as a potential compromise in the crisis around the nuclear programs of the Islamic Republic, which some countries suspect of pursuing a covert weapons program. Although Tehran has consistently said it only wants nuclear power for peaceful purposes, the United States and other nations have concerns, as enriched uranium is a vital component for an atomic bomb.
