"We have verified data showing that there is no reliable evidence of the existence of a military component in the nuclear program of Iran," Xinhua news agency quoted Sergei Ryabkov as telling Russia-24 television network on Friday.
Ryabkov, who is also Moscow's chief negotiator in P5+1 (five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia, and the US -- plus Germany), also expressed skepticism over the practicality of sanctions imposed on Iran and stated that the existing sanctions "have been too far."
The senior Russian official noted that the impasse over the Iranian nuclear issue must not push for a military operation against the Islamic Republic.
“These negotiations have always potential. Russia will continue to interact with all parties,” Ryabkov said.
The United States, Israel, and some of their allies accuse Tehran of pursuing military objectives in its nuclear program.
Under pressure from Washington and Tel Aviv, the UN Security Council has imposed four rounds of sanctions against Tehran. The United States and the European Union have also adopted unilateral measures against Iran that have deterred western investment in the country's energy sector.
Iran argues that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Emergency Agency (IAEA) it has the right to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
The IAEA has conducted numerous inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities but has never found any evidence indicating that Tehran's civilian nuclear program has been diverted to nuclear weapons production.
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Russia's deputy foreign minister says there is no military element in the Iranian nuclear program, urging further dialogue for a peaceful resolution of the standoff over Iran's atomic case.
News ID 181267
