Iran insists on its right to conduct nuclear research but will also consider the proposal of transferring its uranium enrichment program to Russia, a senior Iranian official said here Tuesday.

Iran has all the right to make nuclear research within the rules of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), visiting Iranian First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mehdi Mostafavi was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency.

Referring to the proposal of shifting the venue of enrichment program to the Russian territory, Mehid said it was "something that can be considered."

Iran and Russia have reportedly held talks on the proposal, which is backed by the European Union (EU) and the United States as a compromise to ease the concern of Western countries about Teheran's nuclear research program.

The West suspects the enrichment program, which Iran resumed early this month after two years of suspension, focused on making nuclear bombs, but Iran has strongly denied it, saying it was for power generation.

Earlier this month, three European countries have asked the IAEA to meet next month to discuss the possibility of referring Iran to the UN Security Council.

Mehdi warned that such a step would further complicate the issue.

"Unfortunately, some Western countries are trying to refer the case to the Security Council. This is to pressure Iran but this will bring no harm or damage to Iran," he said.

He also said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad planned to visit Malaysia this year.

Mehdi arrived here Monday to brief Malaysian leaders on its nuclear program.

Source: Xinhua