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Putin calls on Iran to resume cooperation with IAEA

Russia would do everything possible to have the situation around Iran resolved in a peaceful way

NOVO-OGARYOVO, March 2 (Itar-Tass) —— Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called on Iran to resume cooperation with the IAEA in full volume and said Russia would do everything possible to have the situation around Iran resolved in a peaceful way.

“We believe it necessary to give Iran a possibility to develop a peaceful nuclear program, naturally, under complete control of the IAEA. I hope the cooperation process will be fully restored,” he told foreign editors on Thursday.

“We shall do everything possible to prevent an armed conflict in Iran and around Iran as it would have direct negative consequences for us,” he said.

He also urged Iran to refrain from bellicose statements in response to western sanctions. “Unfortunately, it is a very explosive region and we know the militant statements of Iran. We have always been negative regarding any bellicose statements specifically in that region,” Putin said.

Asked whether Russia may send troops to help Iran in case of a strike, Putin said there are no Russian soldiers abroad except for a small peacekeeping force. “It is our position of principle. We carry out a peaceful policy and want the use of force in conflict settlement to be a rare thing,” he said.