Russia, Saudi Arabia to discuss Iran nuclear issue

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has announced he will exchange views with senior Saudi officials on Iran's peaceful nuclear activities.

Lavrov, who is scheduled to pay a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia on Sunday, will discuss latest developments in Iran's nuclear case with Saudi officials.

Riyadh has always supported Tehran's peaceful nuclear activities, he said, and stressed that all countries, including Iran, have the right to access peaceful nuclear technology.

Condemning the dual approach of the West towards Iran's nuclear activities, Saudi Arabia has rejected the claims made by the West, saying Iran has not been found diverting its nuclear program towards production of military weapons against the interests of the region.

The Saudi government also backs a peaceful solution to the nuclear crisis of Iran and has cautioned the West against any military action which would endanger the entire region.

Moscow has said it will not vote for any resolution that would use force on Iran to force it to halt its nuclear activities.

It believes continuing the negotiations with Tehran would be the only solution to the crisis caused by the West on Iran's nuclear program.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently announced that Moscow believes no date should be set to settle Iran's nuclear case and that negotiation would be the only solution to the nuclear dispute.

Moscow has called on Iran to move within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).