Iran discusses 'serious' package of nuclear proposals with Russia

Iranian state media says the country is discussing a package of proposals with Russia aimed at defusing international concerns that Iran is using its nuclear program as a cover for weapons development. State television and the official Iranian news agency IRNA have quoted Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili as saying Monday the package includes "serious proposals," but without providing further details. Iran has denied pursuing nuclear weapons, saying its program is geared toward generating electricity. Russia has been a key ally to Iran in its nuclear standoff with the West but has also voted in favor of three rounds of UN Security Council sanctions against Iran for its failure to suspend uranium enrichment.