Ahmadinejad Welcomes Russia's Nuclear Proposal

Iran President Mahmud Ahmadinejad (left) with Russian National Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev during a meeting in Tehran on August 16

President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has said Iran welcomes Russia's latest proposals for restarting talks on Tehran's disputed nuclear program.

The presidency website quoted Ahmadinejad as telling visiting Russian National Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev during a meeting that Iran agrees with Russia's "step-by-step proposal and is ready to make suggestions to cooperate and interact in this regard."

Patrushev held talks with Iranian officials, including his Iranian counterpart, Said Jalili, in a bid to persuade Tehran to resume talks with six world powers.

Several rounds of the talks -- which involve Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States -- have failed in recent years.

Western states fear Iran's nuclear program is aimed at making weapons, a charge Iran denies.

Russia has proposed a gradual easing of sanctions against Iran in return for every positive move made by Iran in the nuclear dispute.

compiled from agency reports