Russia tells Iran to suspend enriching uranium

MOSCOW, Apr 29 (Reuters) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told today his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki to suspend enriching uranium and ensure full-scale cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA.

''The Russian side reiterated there is an urgent need for Iran to take concrete steps to restore trust in its nuclear programme ... by suspending scientific and exploration work on enriching uranium and through full-scale cooperation with the IAEA to clarify the last remaining questions on Iran's nuclear programme,'' Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It said Lavrov had spoken to Mottaki by telephone. The conversation had been initiated by the Iranian side, it added.

REUTERS PG RN1955