Sat 20 September, 2003 19:33 BST
MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin, hitting back at accusations Russia is irresponsibly supplying nuclear technology to Iran, says he has proof western firms are also working in Iran's atomic sector.
Iran has come under pressure to show its nuclear programme is peaceful and U.S. officials have been lobbying Russia to stop work in the Islamic republic.
But Interfax news agency on Saturday quoted Putin as saying: "Many western firms are working with Iran in the atomic technology sector, including dual-use technology."
Dual-use technology is atomic equipment that can have peaceful or military applications.
Russia has not finished the atomic power station it is building in Iran, a country that Washington has dubbed part of an "axis of evil" seeking illegal arms, and says it will not deliver nuclear fuel until Tehran promises it will be returned.
Putin said he would happily share information about western firms' Iranian activities with other countries.
"We think that we do not need a complete monopoly on this and will share it with our partners," he added.
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)
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