Russia will continue cooperating with Iran in nuclear sphere

Russia will continue its cooperation with Iran in the nuclear sphere, according to the head of the Russian Atomic Energy Agency, Aleksandr Rumiantsev. As reported by a Rosbalt correspondent, Rumiantsev told an agency colloquium Wednesday that 'Iran is our strategic partner, and our cooperation with it will continue.'

According to Rumiantsev, there is no evidence that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. He said that 'Iran has demonstrated peaceful intentions in the nuclear sphere.' He added that the atomic energy station Russia is building at Bushehr would 'become operational according to plan in mid-2005.'

At the same time, Rumiantsev noted that the United States 'is not very happy about the developing relationship between Russia and Iran.' He added that 'our country has fulfilled all of the obligations undertaken by us concerning bilateral cooperation between Russia and the United States.'