MOSCOW, May 30: Russia suggested on Friday that the United States join it in building a nuclear power plant in Iran, calling it a way to ease Washington’s concern that Tehran would use the Russian reactor to develop atomic weapons.

As President Vladimir Putin prepared to host US President George W. Bush, Moscow’s atomic energy minister floated the seemingly improbable idea in an interview with Itar-Tass news agency. US officials say Russian cooperation with Iran is on the agenda for Sunday’s talks.

Another agency quoted an official in the ministry as saying a multinational effort in building Iran’s first atomic power station at Bushehr could ensure that Tehran’s rulers stick to treaty commitments not to develop nuclear weapons.

“We have asked our American colleagues this question a few times while having top-level discussions. But so far they have only said they need to think about it,” Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev told Tass.

Noting that Russia was building only one reactor out of a possible six at Bushehr, on Iran’s Gulf coast, he said there was plenty of room for US involvement. Moscow is keen for trade profits from its long experience with nuclear power technology.

There was no immediate reaction from US officials. Bush and Putin are to hold talks in St Petersburg on Sunday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, asked about the Russian proposal to bring in Americans, told a news conference: “Russians or Westerners who want to be involved can come.”

Washington, which questions the insistence of oil and gas-rich Iran that it needs nuclear energy, has stepped up its criticism of Tehran since US forces took over Iraq in an invasion strongly criticized by Moscow.

The United States wants the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to declare Iran in violation of the 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which Tehran has signed.

Russia has also expressed concern about Iran’s nuclear programme. But Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said this week that no one could object to Moscow’s involvement at Bushehr.

Another Russian official said that only the United Nations could decide if Washington was right in saying the civilian programme was a front for developing nuclear weapons.

Interfax news agency quoted a source at the atomic energy ministry saying other countries’ involvement would help ensure Iran adhered to its NPT obligations: “This would increase control over the nuclear programmes,” the source said.

Rumyantsev was adamant that Russian help to Iran was above board and noted IAEA experts regularly check Iran’s activities:

“Why do we have to stop building power stations if we stick to the rules and violate nothing?” he said.—Reuters