Ivanov "has confirmed Russia's pledge to honor its obligations connected with the project to build a nuclear power plant in Bushehr in strict accordance with the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Ivanov, however, urged Iran to sign an additional protocol to the NPT that would give the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts access to carry out surprise inspections of all nuclear facilities.

Iran's joining would provide more evidence of the peaceful nature of its nuclear program and its intensive cooperation with the IAEA, he added.

Aghazadeh, who is also head of Iran's atomic energy organization, arrived in Moscow earlier in the day for a four-day visit.

During meeting with Ivanov, Aghazadeh described Russia as "a strategic and genuine friend of Iran."

The nuclear ties between Iran and Russia "are developed in full compliance with international law," he said.

Alexander Rumyantsev, Russian Atomic Energy Minister, discussed later Monday with Aghazadeh nuclear fuel deliveries to the first unit of the Bushehr nuclear power plant.

Russian and Iranian working groups may define the fuel deliveries time Wednesday, Russian Atomic Energy Ministry said after meeting, noting that Russia does not have any fundamental problems with nuclear fuel supplies to Iran.

Russian Security Council Secretary Vladimir Rushailo also held talks with Aghazadeh.

(Xinhua News Agency July 1, 2003)