Putin warns Iran over 'nuclear secrecy'
Russia’s President Putin today told Iran it must not keep any details of its nuclear programme secret.
“We are sharing our partners’ concern about making all Iranian programs transparent,” Mr Putin said after talks with visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
At the same time, he said there is no proof that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons program and said its leaders had shown some willingness to cooperate.
Russia has consistently opposed American calls for tougher sanctions against Iran and instead proposed more checks and inspections by an international nuclear watchdog.
Mr Putin is to make his first visit to Iran early next week for a summit.
Mr Sarkozy said the trip could encourage Iran to be more co-operative. “After the trip, there could be a will to cooperate – that is essential,” he said.
“We have worked co-operatively with our partners at the United Nations Security Council, and we intend to continue such co-operative work in the future,” Mr Putin said.
But he said with no “objective data” showing Iran is developing nuclear weapons, “we proceed from an assumption that Iran has no such plans.”
