Russia urges Iran to continue cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog

Russia said Monday that a report by the UN nuclear watchdog reflected some progress in clarifying Iran's nuclear activities, but urged Teheran to continue its cooperation with the inquiry. Moscow's relatively neutral response to last week's International Atomic Energy Agency report contrasted with stronger calls by the United States for a new round of UN sanctions to press Teheran to stop uranium enrichment. Washington and several European countries say Iran's efforts are part of a covert nuclear weapons program; Teheran insists it needs uranium enrichment only for energy purposes.