Nikolai Shingaryov, spokesman for the atomic energy agency Rosatom, said Moscow had first made an offer to enrich uranium for Iran in June.

Russia and Iran "have already discussed such cooperation since June during negotiations in Moscow at the level of deputy directors" of the two countries' atomic energy agencies, Shingaryov told AFP.

"The initiative was from the Russian side, but was not met with an official response from Iran as far as I'm aware," he said.

Diplomats on Thursday said that under a compromise deal the United States and the European Union would be ready to agree to Iran carrying out the first stage of making nuclear fuel.

The proposal would let Iran convert uranium ore into the uranium hexafluoride gas that is the feedstock for making enriched uranium, which can be fuel for nuclear power reactors but also the explosive core of atom bombs.

Russia has backed Iran's plans to develop an atomic energy industry and is building a nuclear power station for Iran at Bushehr.

Washington has voiced fears that Iran could turn such a civil programme to military use.

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