Intelligence officials note talks in Teheran with top Russian general

NICOSIA [MENL] -- Iran has launched what officials termed as high-level defense cooperation talks meant to launch new military projects in Teheran.

The talks were held during the current visit by a Russian delegation headed by Col. Gen. Leonid Ivashov, chief of the Defense Ministry's international military cooperation agency. Iranian officials said Ivashov's arrival marked the highest-ranking visit by a Russian defense official to Teheran since 1991.

Ivashov's visit comes after Iranian National Security Council secretary Hassan Rowhani held talks in Moscow with Russian defense leaders, including Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev.

Russia is regarded as Iran's leading defense contractor. Moscow is said to be involved in virtually every military aerospace and missile program. Russian companies are also constructing the Bushehr nuclear reactor. Western intelligence sources said the civilian project is a cover for a nuclear weapons program denied by both Iran and Russia.

Instead, Russia has proposed that the United Nations be responsible for the proliferation of conventional weapons and that it convene a meeting to discuss the issue in 2001.

In another development, Russian deputy Foreign Minister Vasily Sredin, an envoy of President Vladimir Putin, left for Tel Aviv to discuss the peace process with Israeli officials. Putin is expected to tour the Middle East next month.

In Teheran, Iran reported that authorities seized two tankers suspected of smuggling Iraqi oil. Teheran radio identified the tankers as being registered in Iraq.