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Russia says only UN can tell it to stop Iran nuclear cooperation

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Only the UN Security Council has the right to demand that Russia suspend nuclear cooperation with Iran, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Thursday. "Only the UN Security Council is authorized to make binding decisions on suspending cooperation with a state in any sphere," Mikhail Kamynin said.

MOSCOW, April 20 (RIA Novosti) - Only the UN Security Council has the right to demand that Russia suspend nuclear cooperation with Iran, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Thursday.

"Only the UN Security Council is authorized to make binding decisions on suspending cooperation with a state in any sphere," Mikhail Kamynin said.

"The Security Council has made no decisions on suspending nuclear cooperation with Iran," he said.

Kamynin's comments came after statements Wednesday by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Nicholas Burns that all countries should stop nuclear cooperation with Tehran. He singled out the nuclear plant in Bushehr, being built with Russian help.

Kamynin said that the construction of the Bushehr plant was being carried out in compliance with all international agreements and under total control of the IAEA, the UN's nuclear watchdog.

"This NPP has nothing to do with Iran's uranium enrichment activities," Kamynin said, adding that the reactor could not be used for military purposes.

Iran has been accused of pursuing a covert weapons program, but has denied the accusation and said it has a right to civilian nuclear research.

Kamynin also said the United States was aware that Iran would return spent nuclear fuel from Bushehr to Russia, which also rules out its military use.

"Therefore, the construction of this NPP poses no threat to non-proliferation," he added.

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