Russia stands ready to help Iran if it is interested in a Moscow proposal for creating a joint venture to enrich its uranium on Russian territory, a senior Russian diplomat said on Tuesday.
 
"Our proposal remains in force. If Iranian colleagues are interested, we are ready to help," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying.

Moscow's proposal can "help Iran allay all concerns over its nuclear program," Kislyak said.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said Monday that Tehran had informed the International Atomic Energy Agency of its decision to resume full-scale uranium enrichment after the UN nuclear watchdog voted to report the Iranian nuclear issue to the UN Security Council.

But Itar-Tass quoted Iran's government spokesman, Gholamhossein Elham, as saying in Tehran Monday that Iran welcomes contact on any proposal in the nuclear area that would serve its national interests and that the talks with Russia may continue.

Russia is hoping to hold consultations with Iran on Feb. 16 over the proposal, Kislyak said, adding the parties will discuss not only the nuclear dossier in Moscow, but "the whole range of relations with Iran."

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2006)