Islam Times - Iran, Russia discuss ties, regional and global issues

Islam Times - Iran and Russia have exchanged views on political and security cooperation between the two countries and the latest regional and international developments.

Assistant Secretary of the Russian National Security Council Yevgeny Lukyanov, who is currently in Tehran, held talks with Undersecretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Baqeri on Monday.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Monday asserted Iran's nuclear energy right and called on Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to resume talks at an early date in order to resolve the Iranian nuclear energy issue.

As a signatory of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran has the right to peaceful use of the nuclear energy, Hong told reporters.

As permanent members of the UN Security Council, Russia and China have always supported Iran's right to use the nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, calling for dialogue and cooperation as proper solutions to the Iranian nuclear energy issue.

The United States, Israel and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.

Iran rejects the allegations, arguing that as a signatory to the NPT and a member of the IAEA, it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.