Iran would consider Russian proposal aimed at ending nuclear dispute

Jan 27, 2012, 11:29 GMT

Tehran - Iran would consider Russia's proposal for a gradual loosening of sanctions against Tehran in exchange for a gradual increase in access to the country for international nuclear inspectors, a senior Iranian lawmaker said Friday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the proposal for a step-by-step approach in seeking to end the deadlock between Tehran and world powers suspicious of the aims of its nuclear programme last year.

'Iranian officials have several times discussed the issue with the Russians and if Moscow raises the proposal at the next nuclear meeting, then it could be examined,' said Alaeddin Boroujerdi, who parliament's foreign policy commission.

Boroujerdi however told Mehr news agency that the Russian plan should take into account Iran's interests.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad indicated Thursday that in the event of European Union oil embargo on Iran, the country would still be ready to resume negotiations with the so-called 3+3 group in Istanbul.

For almost a decade, the group comprised of EU nations Britain, France and Germany, China, Russia and the United States has held several rounds of talks with Iran, the last of of which took place in January.

The negotiations have repeatedly faltered over the demand for Iran to temporarily suspend its uranium enrichment activities as a confidence-building step.

Iran in turn is asking for recognition of its nuclear rights and insists on the lifting of international sanctions.

'The world powers should simply acknowledge Iran as a country with nuclear know-how and (based on that) attend the negotiations,' Boroujerdi said.

Iran has given the go-ahead for a visit by a high-ranking team of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, scheduled for Sunday.

The team is seeking substantial answers to intelligence reports that Iran had tested nuclear weapon components.