MOSCOW, March 12: Russia will never support Iran getting a nuclear military capability and will not be dragged into “anti-American games,” Russian news agencies reported on Monday, quoting a source close to the authorities.

“Most unfortunately, the Iranians are abusing our constructive relations,” the unnamed source told the state-run ITAR-TASS and RIA Novosti news agencies, as well as the Interfax agency. “We absolutely do not need Iran getting a nuclear bomb or the potential to make one,” the “informed source” said.

“We will not play any kind of anti-American games with them.” The unusually critical comments published by the Russian agencies came as Russian contractors and Tehran continued to squabble over delays to the completion of Iran’s first nuclear power station at Bushehr.

On Sunday, Iran complained that Russian financial problems were to blame and expressed concern that Moscow might yield to US pressure to halt the work. —AFP