MOSCOW, October 18 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin, taking part in his annual live TV question and answer session, described assassination warnings before his trip to Iran as an attempt to disrupt the visit.
Asked why he had gone to Iran, despite reports of plot to kill him during his visit, the Russian president said: "As regards the threats, I believe that was an attempt to disrupt the visit. I think it harms international communication, since direct dialogue with countries, with leaders of countries encircled by problems, is always a better and shorter route to success than a policy of threats, sanctions and the use of force."
The Russian president visited Iran on October 16 for a five-nation Caspian summit, held in Tehran.
Putin said the Iran visit had been planned long ago, and that the agenda included issues demanding discussion by the leaders of the two countries.
"We have been, and will be, building good-neighborly relations with that country. In terms of some activities, for example, energy cooperation - oil, gas, and the electric power industry - we are very important partners, and all this demanded discussion at the highest level," he said.
Putin said Russia is trying, along with the international community, to find a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear problem.
Putin's visit to Iran, the first by a Russian or Soviet leader since 1943, comes amid a standoff between Western states and the Islamic Republic, which is accused of developing nuclear weapons. Tehran has denied the charge. The United States has urged a new, tougher, set of sanctions on Iran, and has refused to rule out a military operation against the regime.
During the talks, Putin invited his Iranian counterpart to visit Russia, saying the date of the visit was to be coordinated through diplomatic channels.
