Russia says it is in contact with the Obama administration in a bid to convince it to normalize ties with Iran and solve the nuclear issue.

Moscow hopes that “the new administration understands that there is no alternative to the political process and dialogue at all levels,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Bloomberg on Wednesday.

He said US President-elect Barack Obama would have to normalize ties with Iran to reach a solution to the nuclear dispute.

“We are doing it [bypassing the Bush administration and reach Obama's team] through our embassy in Washington D.C. and our contacts with people who are around Barack Obama,” Ryabkov added.

The Russian official stated that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's letter to Obama was a sign of Iran's intentions that could open a new chapter in Tehran-Washington relations.

Russia has repeatedly voiced support for a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear issue.

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