Visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted on Monday in Wiesbaden of Germany that he would visit Iran later Monday despite reports on possible assassination plot against him.

 

 

"Of course I am going to Iran," Putin told a press conference after he held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Wiesbaden.

 

"If you react to various threats and recommendations of the security services, then you should sit at home," he said.

 

Earlier on Sunday evening, Russia's Interfax news agency reported that a possible assassination plot had been organized against Putin during his Iran tour.

 

"A reliable source in one of the Russian special services, has received information from several sources outside Russia, that during the president of Russia's visit to Tehran an assassination attempt is being plotted," Interfax said.

 

Putin's visit to Iran is the first by a Kremlin leader since then Soviet leader Josef Stalin's visit in 1943.

 

Putin is expected to talk with Iranian leaders over the nuclear issue during his trip to Tehran.

 

Russia is one party within the six-power talks designed to reinin Iran's nuclear ambitions, which also include the US, China, Britain, France and Germany.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2007)