Russia will maintain support for Iran's nuclear programme despite Tehran's decision to restart the enrichment of uranium, Russian news agencies quoted sources in Russia's atomic agency, Rosatom, as saying on Tuesday.
"We always stressed Iran's right to develop its nuclear fuel cycle, though we at the same time urge countries not possessing the cycle to refrain from developing it," Interfax and RIA Novosti agencies quoted a Rosatom source as saying.
A spokesman for Rosatom did not comment on the specific situation, but repeated Russia's position that Iran has a right to the peaceful use of atomic energy.
He said the latest moves, which have sparked a crisis that could go to the United Nations Security Council, did not undermine that.
A spokesman for Rosatom said only a UN resolution or a decision by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could provide the legal basis for Russia to break its contracts and stop working with Iran.
"It goes without saying that we would fulfil those," Nikolai Shingaryov said.