TOMSK (Siberia), April 27 (RIA Novosti) - President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia favored finding a diplomatic solution to the long-running crisis around Iran's controversial nuclear program.
"A diplomatic path includes various options for reaction. It is currently too early to ... say which solution we will jointly take. The most important thing is that any decision should be agreed [between all sides]," Putin said in the West Siberian oil city of Tomsk, where he is holding talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
He said all interested parties should be involved in comprehensive negotiations to ensure Iran's nuclear program is for civilian purposes only, and to alleviate the fears of the international community about nuclear proliferation.
"Our position is clear and well-known: We are against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including by Iran," Putin said. "But we believe that Iran should have the right to develop advanced technologies and nuclear energy industry for civilian purposes."
Putin said the UN's nuclear watchdog should play the main role in solving the long-running crisis.
"The International Atomic Energy Agency plays ... a key role. It should not put these problems off and shift them onto the shoulders of the UN Security Council," he said.
