Rejecting US claims, a top Russian diplomat said Tuesday there was no evidence that Iran had pursued a nuclear weapons capability in violation of the international nonproliferation agreement.
Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov contradicted allegations about Iran's nuclear program made Monday by U.S. Undersecretary of State John Bolton in Moscow. Bolton had sought to persuade Russian officials to acknowledge Tehran has a clandestine weapons program.
"Very sound evidence is needed to accuse anyone. So far, neither the United States nor any other countries can present it," Losyukov said, according to the Interfax news agency.
Losyukov did acknowledge that Iran's nuclear program had some uncertainties, and that Moscow would work with Tehran to "add more transparency" to its program. As for Russian-Iranian nuclear cooperation, Losyukov said the work was "strictly in line with IAEA norms." (Albawaba.com)
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