MOSCOW, October 10 (RIA Novosti) - Venezuela has said Iran is helping it look for uranium in remote parts of the country, national media reported.

Venezuelan Science and Technology Minister Jesse Chacon said on Friday Iran was helping with geophysical aerial probes and geochemical analyses, as well as the detection and testing of uranium deposits.

He added that Venezuela plans to use its uranium deposits to develop nuclear energy.

Mining Minister Rodolfo Sanz earlier said Iran Venezuela could have "significant reserves of uranium."

President Hugo Chavez has denied that Venezuela wants to develop nuclear weapons.