Russia urged Iran on Thursday to heed the outcome of the just-concluded meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and cooperate fully with the UN nuclear watchdog.

"We appeal to Iran to seriously consider the outcome of the ( IAEA) board of governors' session and guarantee full-scale cooperation with the IAEA," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement a day after the IAEA wrapped up its meeting in Vienna, at which the agency's 35-nation board of governors discussed IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei's latest report on Iran's nuclear program.

ElBaradei's report says the IAEA has no proof that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, but at the same time, it dose not rule out the possibility of clandestine nuclear activities due to insufficient information.

IAEA resolutions, the Charter and provisions of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty guarantee Iran access to the benefits of atomic energy on condition of full observance of nonproliferation commitments, the ministry said.

"If Iran complies with its obligations, solutions can be found then that will guarantee its legitimate rights to civilian use of nuclear power," it said.

"In this context, Russia's proposal to set up a joint venture that would support Iran's legitimate interests in developing the nuclear power industry will be instrumental," the ministry said.

The dispute over Iran's nuclear program escalated after Tehran resumed nuclear fuel research in January, which prompted the IAEA decision last month to report its case to the UN Security Council.

Iran then stopped the IAEA's snap inspections of its nuclear sites and resumed small-scale uranium enrichment work.

Iran denies the U.S. charge of developing nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program, insisting on its right to peaceful nuclear technology.

The UN Security Council's five permanent members held closed consultations late Wednesday on the approach the powerful organ would take in handling the crisis over Iran's disputed nuclear program. UN officials said council members had received ElBaradei's report.

Source: Xinhua