Moscow, 5 May 2003 (RFE/RL) -- A top U.S. official has held talks in Moscow on arms control and ways to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, particularly in Iran and North Korea. John Bolton, the U.S. undersecretary of state for arms control, met Russian Foreign and Atomic Energy ministry officials.
The talks are seen as part of an effort by the United States to get Moscow to curtail its aid to Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran says is for peaceful purposes but which Washington fears is aimed at developing nuclear weapons.
Russia until recently defended its program to help Iran build the Bushehr nuclear plant.
But last month, Russian Atomic Energy Minister Aleksandr Rumyantsev said Russia is concerned about reports that Iran may be enriching uranium with a view to developing nuclear weapons.
The talks are seen as part of an effort by the United States to get Moscow to curtail its aid to Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran says is for peaceful purposes but which Washington fears is aimed at developing nuclear weapons.
Russia until recently defended its program to help Iran build the Bushehr nuclear plant.
But last month, Russian Atomic Energy Minister Aleksandr Rumyantsev said Russia is concerned about reports that Iran may be enriching uranium with a view to developing nuclear weapons.