Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President George Bush discussed Iran's nuclear program today, according to the Kremlin.
The talks took place by telephone at President Bush's request, the Kremlin said.
A statement said the two sides "discussed interaction on urgent international problems, including the Iranian nuclear issue, on which numerous consultations at various levels are to be held in the coming days."
The UN Security Council is expected this week to begin debating new steps aimed at persuading Iran to comply with international demands to halt its uranium enrichment activities.
While the United States and its European allies are pushing for possible penalties, veto-wielding UN Security Council members Russia and China have opposed the idea.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said yesterday the United States would seek a UN resolution requiring Iran to comply. She mentioned a resolution under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which can be enforced through penalties or military action.
The UN nuclear agency issued a report Friday confirming that Tehran refused to comply with a Security Council demand that it halt enrichment by that day.
The United States and other nations believe Tehran's nuclear activities are aimed at creating nuclear weapons, although Iran insists its program is peaceful and aimed only at producing power.
Moscow has close ties to Iran and is building the nation's first nuclear power plant. But the Kremlin has been frustrated by Tehran's defiance of international pressure and refusal to accept a Russian proposal aimed at easing tension by moving Iran's uranium enrichment to Russia.
AP