An IAEA-brokered draft proposal on nuclear fuel supply to Tehran is not a scheme to strip Iran of its low-enriched uranium, says a Russian diplomat.

"This offer is not to trick Iran into giving away its low-enriched uranium," Russian Ambassador to Tehran Alexander Sadovnikov said in an interview with the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Sunday.

"We believe that reaching an agreement on this offer and signing technical contracts to produce fuel for the Tehran reactor will be beneficial to Iran and will help in resolving Iran's nuclear issue," he added.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) presented a draft proposal to Iran, France, Russia and the United States after a meeting in Vienna on October 19. While the three powers have supported the proposal, Iran has yet to announce its final decision.

The nuclear plan envisages Iran shipping out its low-enriched uranium (LEU) to be converted into metal fuel rods and returned to the country for the Tehran medical research reactor.

Under the draft deal, Iran would have to ship out at once 80 percent of its domestically-produced stockpile, amounting to 1,200 kg of uranium enriched to under 3.5 percent, by the end of the year.

The Russian diplomat said that the IAEA presented the proposal to Iran with respect to the fact that "Tehran does not possess the technology to turn low-enriched uranium (LEU) into the fuel needed for the Tehran reactor."

The Tehran Research Reactor produces radioisotopes used in cancer treatment by over 200 hospitals in Iran.

In response to a question on whether the continuation of talks would be fruitful in establishing peace and stability in the region, Sadovnikov said, "It is completely true that we should settle Iran's nuclear issue as soon as possible in order to achieve this goal."

"We should open comprehensive international cooperation with Iran on the nuclear case."

"This cannot be achieved without arriving at similar views and without making inevitable compromises. Therefore, we look at the next round of talks with hope and expect all the negotiators to be politically wise, constructive and patient."

The Russian envoy expressed opposition to imposing fresh international sanctions against Tehran.

"Russia believes that negotiations must be pursued from a calculated position without threats and scare," he said.

"As Russian officials have repeatedly said, threats and sanctions will only complicate the situation and will lead to an impasse," he added.

"Once again I repeat that we call for holding constructive negotiations about all issues of common interests without any preconditions and threats."

Sadovnikov, whose country is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, reiterated Russia's stance on Iran's right to use nuclear technology for peaceful aims. He said that Moscow would do its utmost in helping Iran to progress in this path.

SF/MMN