BUDAPEST, March 1 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's foreign minister told Russia Today television Wednesday that a compromise on Iran's controversial nuclear program was possible.
"I am convinced that a compromise that complies with the non-proliferation regime is possible," Lavrov said in an interview with the 24-hour English-language channel.
Iran broke a two-year moratorium on nuclear research in January for what it claimed were energy-generating purposes, arousing fears around the globe that the country could be secretly trying to create weapons-grade material. The Russian proposal to enrich uranium for Iran's nuclear power plants has been widely seen as a way to end the current standoff.
"Iran should re-impose its moratorium [on nuclear research] and accept Russia's proposal to open a joint venture to enrich uranium on Russian territory," Lavrov said. He added that Russia's initiative would be backed by the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog.
Lavrov said he hoped that talks starting Wednesday in Moscow would be constructive and that Iran would pursue a "responsible approach" to the Russian initiative, adding that Russia believes the crisis should be resolved through the IAEA.
"We should do everything it takes to resume the efforts of UN inspectors in Iran," Lavrov said.
The United States, Israel and some European countries have been pushing to refer Iran's nuclear file to the UN Security Council, which could impose economic sanctions against energy-rich Iran if it is found to be in breach of international commitments.
Lavrov promised that Russian diplomats would seek to convince Iran of the advantages of a renewed moratorium, and of the need to return to the protocol to Iran's agreement with the IAEA that the country has signed but not ratified.
"We will also try to explain that Iran's current nuclear fuel needs could be covered by the joint venture," Lavrov said. 
On March 6, the IAEA board of governors will hear a report from agency head Mohammed ElBaradei on Iran's nuclear file, and decide whether the country should be referred to the UN Security Council.
