WIESBADEN, October 15 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Monday that he planned to pay a two-day official visit to Iran despite an alleged assassination plot against him.
Earlier in the day the Kremlin press service said Putin would visit Iran despite the threat, but made no comment on the alleged plot, adding that preparations were continuing for Putin's visit.
"I am definitely going to Iran," Putin said. "If one reacts to various threats and follow recommendations from the security service, than it would be better to stay at home."
President Putin, who arrived in Germany Sunday for his fifth meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel, said the security service should do its work, while presidents continue with their responsibilities.
"The security service should do its work, while we, together with the chancellor and our other colleagues, should proceed with our own work. And that is what we will definitely be doing," Putin said.
A source in the Russian special services said Russia along with foreign partners is already investigating the alleged plot to assassinate Putin.
"The relevant bodies together with foreign partners are working on information obtained yesterday regarding the terrorist threat against the president of Russia," the source said.
Russian and German leaders met Monday for the start of the ninth consultations which focused on Iran's nuclear program, U.S. missile defense plans in Europe, and the status of Kosovo.
During his October 15-16 visit to Tehran, Putin will meet with his Iranian counterpart, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and attend Tuesday's summit of Caspian Sea nations. It is the first visit by a Russian or Soviet leader to Iran since 1943, when Joseph Stalin met with Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt in Tehran for a wartime conference.
"During the meeting with the Iranian authorities we will discuss issues related to the Iranian nuclear program," Putin said following his talks with Merkel.
Both Russia and Germany are among the six negotiators on Iran, which also include France, Britain, the United States and China.
Western nations, including Germany, have sought to impose tougher sanctions against the Islamic Republic, which they suspect of pursuing a secret weapons program, while Russia has resisted additional sanctions. Russia is building Iran's first nuclear power plant in Bushehr.
President Putin said that a peaceful approach should be used in regard to Iran, similar to that used with North Korea.
"I hope many people will agree with me that this problem should be resolved by peaceful means, and we have such an example," he told journalists, referring to North Korea's agreement to abandon its nuclear program.
"It is pointless trying to scare someone, in this particular case, the Iranian authorities or the Iranian people," the president said. "Trust me, they are not afraid. We can and must find a solution."
He added that Russia has always worked and will continue with its partners from the United States and Europe to find a common resolution to the issue.
But the German leader said new sanctions could be imposed on Iran if the country fails to follow earlier resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council.
"Iran must follow UN Security Council resolutions," Merkel said. "And if the Iranian authorities fail to do this, it will be necessary to introduce new sanctions."
Putin's upcoming trip to Iran will test Russia's ability to wield international political influence amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear program. Russia reiterates that it is against unilateral sanctions against Tehran and wants the Iranian issue to be resolved through collective efforts and political dialogue.
