Russian Security Council chief Igor Ivanov on Sunday gave a thinly-veiled warning to any country attempting to cover interference in Iran's internal affairs by using Iran's nuclear program as cover.

"We oppose attempts to use this issue as an instrument of pressure or interference in Iran's internal affairs," Ivanov told the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, a Russian think-tank regrouping politicians, officials, experts and business leaders. 

Nuclear nonproliferation is an issue which touches the whole world not just Iran, said Ivanov, while calling Iran to meet the world's worries with honest answers. 

"We insist that these concerns be removed. Should this issue be closed, Iran will maintain every right to develop peaceful nuclear programs," Ivanov said.

Western accusations have flown, blaming Iran for using civilian nuclear programs as a cover for developing nuclear weaponry which Tehran has met with claims that it is enriching uranium as a peaceful, alternative energy source.

Thursday saw the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany finish a draft resolution which will mete stronger sanctions against Tehran for blithely pursuing uranium enrichment.

"Iran must freeze uranium enrichment. The UN Security Council will then take a break, too, and the parties can gather at the negotiating table," he said.

Ivanov also sought to dispel any potential links between Iran's nuclear program and its Bushehr nuclear power plant, being built with Russian help.

"It is a separate issue. All the work being done is under the International Atomic Energy Agency's strict control," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2007)