Iran armed with nuclear weapons
would pose threat to Russia

 MOSCOW (Interfax) — Russian Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov has said that the possible acquisition of nuclear weapons by Iran would be a threat to Russia's interests.

"Directly and indirectly this would be a threat to Russia's interests," Ivanov told the Foreign and Defense Policies Council on Sunday.

"We are doing everything possible to prevent this," Ivanov said.

However, although Russia wants Iran to answer International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) questions it does not want the issue of Iran's nuclear program to be used as a pretext for interference in Iran's internal affairs, Ivanov said.

"We oppose attempts to use this issue as an instrument of pressure or interference in Iran's internal affairs," Ivanov told the Foreign and Defense Policies Council on Sunday.

Ivanov, however, urged Iran to answer the questions worrying the world community.

"Iran has been working for 18 years on projects that have not been controlled by the IAEA. We insist that these concerns be lifted. If this issue is closed, Iran will have every right to develop peaceful nuclear programs," Ivanov said.

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