Iran nuclear chief in Moscow; Russia seeks to expand coop

By: Khadija Chinese

MOSCOW, Russia: Amid mounting protests and pressure from Washington over Moscow's nuclear cooperation with Tehran, Iranian Vice President and head of the country’s atomic energy body Gholam Reza Aghazadeh held talks with Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov.

“We are interested in developing wide-ranging cooperation with Iran,” Ivanov told Aghazadeh during the meeting as quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency. “Our cooperation has progressed notably in recent years and we hope this trend continues and intensifies.”

The Iran Atomic Energy Organization chief said his country views Russia as a strategic partner and a real friend.

Reports said Aghazadeh was also due to meet with Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev and Security Council Secretary Vladimir Rushailo.

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