Russia's president Vladimir Putin Thursday said that Russia plans to
cooperate with Iran in the energy sphere and that the two countries are
important partners in the sector.

"Regarding oil, gas, power and nuclear power, we are certainly very
important partners," Putin said, commenting on his recent trip to Iran.

Putin was speaking in an annual televised call-in session during which
Russia's citizens have an opportunity to ask the president questions.

"We all know about Iran's nuclear problem and this made up the
significant part of our negotiations," he said, without giving further
details.

Iran is under mounting pressure from the US and other Western countries
over fears that its nuclear program, which it says are for civil purposes,
could be used to develop nuclear weapons.

Regarding an alleged plot to assassinate him during his trip to Iran
earlier this week, which came out on the eve of the visit, Putin said that it
was an attempt to prevent the visit from taking place.

"It was nothing else but an attempt to prevent the visit," Putin said,
adding that it was harmful for international relationships.

"The direct dialog with the state, with the head of the state around
which problems have been arising, is more productive than the policy of
threats and forced pressure," Putin said.

Putin went to Tehran on Tuesday to attend a summit meeting of Caspian Sea
states, in the first visit to the country by a Kremlin chief since World War
II.