The statement from the five nations backed the right of a member of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to "research, produce and use nuclear energy for peaceful ends, without discrimination, within the framework of this treaty and the mechanisms of the UN nuclear watchdog".

Russian President Vladimir Putin told a news conference afterwards that the countries had "expressed the idea that peaceful nuclear activities must be allowed".

"Russia is the only country helping Iran to contruct a nuclear power station for peaceful ends," Putin added, referring to an ongoing project to build the facility in Bushehr.

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