Iran on Sunday said it has transparently declared its stance to Russia and Azerbaijan on an offer recently presented by Russia to the US for joint use of a Russian-rented Qabala radar in Azerbaijan.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini made the statement in his address to domestic and foreign reporters at his weekly press conference.
"Ambassadors of Russia and Azerbaijan to Tehran have been invited to Iran's Foreign Ministry. We have expressed Iran's viewpoints on the issue," he said.
He added, "Our envoys to Baku and Moscow have held meetings with officials of their foreign ministries and announced Iran's stance in a transparent way."
According to reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin, keen to avoid Washington placing its missile defense shield in Central Europe where Moscow says it could threaten Russian security, had suggested both sides instead used the Russian-rented Qabala radar in Azerbaijan.
Asked about remarks made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Putin's offer, Hosseini said, "It seems Russia has no decision to adopt a stance leading to instability and insecurity in a region it is located in."
The spokesman said British secretary of state for defense and Prime Minister Tony Blair have also stressed that the main goal of the US anti-missile shield is to confront Russia's missiles.
© IRNA 2007
