Putin's troubleshooter Ivanov to visit Iran

MOSCOW, May 25 (Reuters) Russian President Vladimir Putin's troubleshooter Igor Ivanov will travel this week to Iran, which faces international pressure over its nuclear plans, Russian news agencies quoted sources as saying today.

The agencies said Ivanov would fly to Tehran with some foreign ministry officials on Saturday.

''Igor Ivanov will hold a series of talks and meetings in Iran,'' RIA news agency quoted its source as saying.

Interfax said Ivanov, who is secretary of Putin's Security Council and has had a series of talks with Iran over its nuclear programme, would stay in Iran Saturday and Sunday.

Russia, a veto-holding member of the United Nations Security Council, has so far opposed Washington's plans to impose sanctions on Iran for refusing to halt nuclear enrichment programme, which the United States and some of its Western allies suspect is part of an effort to develop an atomic bomb.

Iran says it is developing nuclear technology for civilian energy generation.

World powers, including Russia and the four other permanent members of the UN Security Council, met yesterday in London to try to hammer out a package of threats and incentives designed to persuade Iran to halt its work.

Diplomats have discussed offering Iran a light-water reactor and nuclear fuel from abroad -- designed to stop Iran attaining technology that would allow it to make atomic bombs -- along with targeted sanctions, such as visa bans on top officials.

Iran says it has a right to a nuclear programme, and denies U.S. accusations that it is trying to create an atomic bomb.

REUTERS PR PC1732