Ministers Kamal Kharazi and Igor Ivanov discussed numerous issues relating to Iran's nuclear programme, including Tehran's "fidelity to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and its willingness to collaborate more broadly with the IAEA," the watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency, the statement said.

Kharazi informed Ivanov of recent contacts with the IAEA, it said.

The ministers agreed to continue the discussions at upcoming talks in Tehran.

Russia is building a nuclear plant at Bushehr, in western Iran, despite Western worries that Tehran is using the power station project to develop a clandestine nuclear weapons programme.

Under US pressure, Russia has begun insisting on tighter Iranian guarantees against the possible use of nuclear technology for military purposes.

WAR.WIRE