Hardening support for new sanctions against Tehran, the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says if Iran does not cooperate at an Oct. 1 meeting with world powers, then "other methods" should be used to deal with the case.

"I have said we should create a system of incentives for Iran," Medvedev made the comment in answering a question about whether a new round of UN sanctions might be in order after the disclosure of the second nuclear site in Iran, adding that "If they do not work, cooperation does not work, other mechanisms of which I spoke should be used."

Medvedev elaborated that the new revelations (about Iran's second under-construction nuclear facility) has been a "cause of concern" to all Group of 20 members, including Russia.

"The Oct. 1 meeting (where six major powers plus Iran will meet) gives Iran a chance to demonstrate that it is also committed to talks to solve this issue," Medvedev noted, expressing hope that "Iran will provide convincing proof of its commitment to develop a nuclear energy sector exclusively for peaceful purposes."

The news comes after Iran informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it is constructing a plant for uranium enrichment near Qom, south of Tehran.

Iran's announcement of the new plant has been seized upon by a number of Western leaders slamming the country of "deception" in its nuclear program.

However, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told reporters in New York that the facility was legal and open for inspection by the IAEA, the UN nuclear watchdog.

Iran's nuclear Chief Ali-Akbar Salehi, also confirmed that the newly-announced uranium enrichment facility would be in full compliance with the country's treaty obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

RZS/SS/MMA