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Report: Obama sought Russian deal on Iran

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-03-03 19:56

WASHINGTON -- US President Barack Obama suggested to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that the United States would back off plans for a missile defense system in Eastern Europe in exchange for help stopping Iran from developing long-range weapons, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

Obama made the proposal in a secret letter that was hand-delivered to Medvedev three weeks ago, the Times reported, citing anonymous US sources.

Russia has vigorously opposed the missile shield, which would include sites in the Czech Republic and Poland, since it was proposed by the Bush administration. The stated aim of the shield is to deter Iran from launching nuclear-tipped missiles at US allies in Europe.

Related readings:  Obama's diplomatic 'New Deal' unfolding  Russia won't toughen policy on Iran  Russia signals new optimism on ties with US  US-Iran ties tense after Obama offer

According to the Times, Obama's letter said the US would not need to build the missile defense system if Iran's efforts to build a nuclear weapon were halted.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov urged the United States on Monday to restore diplomatic relations with Iran, Russian news agencies reported. "This would be an important element in stabilizing the situation in the region," he said.

Lavrov is scheduled to hold talks with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Geneva on Friday in the highest-level meeting between the two nations since Obama took office.