Putin and Bush discuss Iran

U.S. President George W. Bush and Russia's Vladimir Putin also discussed the Middle East peace process, the Kremlin press service said in a brief statement.

Photo: Putin and Bush discuss Iran

On Thursday, foreign ministers of the five permanent U.N. Security Council members and Germany plan to meet in Vienna, Austria, to discuss proposals intended to reward Iran if it gives up uranium enrichment and punish it if it does not.

"Both leaders spoke in favor of the further development of international efforts in the interests of resolving the Iranian nuclear problem," the statement said.

Russia, along with China, has opposed calls by the United States, Britain and France for a Security Council resolution that would threaten sanctions against Iran if it does not stop enriching uranium - a process that can produce fuel for nuclear reactors or material for atomic bombs.

Moscow also has vehemently opposed the potential use of force against Iran, the Ap reports.

Earlier Tuesday, Iran's Foreign Ministry praised Russia and China for their opposition to the U.S. drive to impose U.N. sanctions.