Tuesday, November 22 2005 14:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

MOSCOW: Russia has warned Iran that the nuclear dossier may be referred to UN Security Council if Tehran's nuclear programme endangers the Non-proliferation regime.

"We do not rule out that Iran's nuclear dossier could be referred to the UNSC, if threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, first and foremost, of nuclear weapons arises," Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said.

But, "we do not see such threat at this juncture."

"As long as Iran carries out no uranium enrichment activities, the controversy surrounding its nuclear programme should be dealt within the four walls of International Atomic Energy Agency," Lavrov was quoted by the state-run RIA Novosti news agency yesterday.

Iran has given IAEA inspectors access to all nuclear sites it is supposed to keep open in line with international accords, the Minister said.

Russian Minister's comments came three days before the International Atomic Energy Association's (IAEA) 35-nation Board meets to discuss options on what to do about Iran's nuclear programme.