Russia backs Tehran-Washington direct talks

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Sunday that Moscow supports US Administration's plan to hold direct talks with Iran.

Medvedev told reporters that the talks would prepare ground for US to discuss its concerns.

Referring to the countries rights to gain nuclear technology for civilian utility, Medvedev said that producing nuclear energy within the framework of the international regulations and the IAEA must not be considered problematic.

The Russian president drew a line between the Iranian nuclear program and that of North Korea and said that Iranian nuclear program is underway while interacting with international bodies.

"North Korea has cut its contacts with the outside world," the Russian president said expressing his concern about the North Korean test-firing missiles.

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