Russia Backs Format of EU-3 Nuclear Talks with Iran

Dow Jones Newswires:

Russia expressed support Tuesday for the talks France, Germany and the U.K. have conducted with Iran over its nuclear program, after Tehran called on other nations to take part in negotiations.

Russia believes the format in which the European "troika" has been negotiating with Iran "has proved its usefulness," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "We suggest that its potential is far from exhausted." READ MORE

The statement followed a media request for a response to a call Thursday by Iran's nuclear point man, Ali Larijani, for other nations to open talks with his country on its nuclear program - an apparent bid to bring nations more sympathetic to Tehran's cause on board.

The ministry said it was up to the participants in the talks to decide whether to change the format.

Russia is building a nuclear power reactor in Iran, and has long backed Tehran's statements that its program is only aimed at producing electricity -not nuclear weapons, as the U.S. and other nations fear.

President Vladimir Putin has tried to please both Iran and the U.S. in comments over the past year, saying he is convinced its government is not seeking nuclear weapons, but that it must do more to prove that to the world.

The talks with France, Germany and the U.K., which Russia has repeatedly expressed support, suffered a blow earlier this month when Iran rejected the Europeans' central proposal, an offer of economic incentives in return for permanently giving up uranium development.

Russia doesn't want the issue of Iran's nuclear program to go to the U.N. Security Council, where it could be forced to take a stand that would significantly damage relations with the U.S. or with Iran.