Russia alarmed by lack of agreement with Iran on nuclear talks

 
Moscow is alarmed that no date or venue has been agreed for a new round of talks between global powers and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Friday.   

Iran, which denies Western accusations it is seeking to develop a capability to make nuclear weapons, said last week it had agreed to resume talks in January with six powers. Ryabkov said there was no final agreement on a date or venue.   

"This alarms us, because the pause has dragged on," the Interfax news agency quoted Ryabkov as saying.

Earlier, the chief of the United Nations nuclear agency said on Friday he was not optimistic about talks with Iran next week on getting access to a military base Western powers suspect is being used for atomic-weapons related work.   

"The outlook is not bright," Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said in Tokyo. He was referring to talks to be held next week on getting access to the Parchin military base and officials involved in Iran's nuclear program.