(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-10-17 20:57

The Security Council imposed sanctions on Iran in December for refusing to suspend enrichment, and modestly increased them in March after Tehran stepped up the program. Iran responded by giving the U.N. nuclear watchdog less access to its nuclear facilities.

IRNA, the official news agency, reported Wednesday that Khamenei had told Putin that US demands had no limits but that Iran won't seek adventurism.

"Iran ... has chosen a lasting logic in defending its national interests because it is certain that excessive demands of the enemies of this nation has no limits."

"Due to this reason, the Iranian nation and government, while avoiding adventurism and not giving pretexts to the enemy, will pursue this wise logic," IRNA quoted Khamenei as telling Putin.

Khamenei also said Iran will continue cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is scrutinizing Iran's nuclear program.

"Iran's cooperation with the IAEA is a logical and correct path and will continue. We are determined to meet our country's need for nuclear energy. That's why we are taking the issue of enrichment seriously," IRNA quoted Khamenei as saying.

Khamenei said an "independent Iran" was in the interest of Russia, while a "powerful Russia" served the interests of Iran.

Russia has resisted the US push for stronger sanctions against Tehran and strongly warned Washington against using force against Iran.

But its position is carefully hedged: It has delayed completing the Bushehr nuclear power plant, Iran's first, and is urging the country to comply with international controls on its nuclear activities.

Putin refused to set a date Tuesday for the startup of Iran's first nuclear power plant, but stressed that Moscow would not back out of its commitment to complete the project.

Setting a date by Putin to quickly complete the power plant could embolden Iran and further cloud Russia's relations with the West.

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