Russia expressed greater concern over Iran's nuclear programme yesterday, with one of the closest allies to Vladimir Putin, prime minister, describing western anxiety over Tehran's plans as “valid”.
As Iran took an important step towards the possible manufacture of weapons grade uranium, Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of the Presidential Security Council, said there was a “limit” to how much diplomacy could be used to solve the crisis.
In recent months, Dmitry Medvedev, president, has expressed growing concern over Iran's programme, while Mr Putin – often regarded as the real source of power at the Kremlin – has resisted tough new United Nations sanctions against Tehran.