Russian Security Council chief Igor Ivanov on Sunday warned against using the dispute over Iran's nuclear program as a pretext for interfering in Iran's internal affairs.

"We oppose attempts to use this issue as an instrument of pressure or interference in Iran's internal affairs," Ivanov told the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, a think tank that gathers Russian politicians, officials, experts and business leaders.

Nonproliferation of nuclear weapons is a problem that concerns the world community as a whole, not just Iran, Ivanov said. However, he urged Iran to answer the questions that worry the world community.

"We insist that these concerns be removed. If this issue is closed, Iran will have every right to develop peaceful nuclear programs," Ivanov said.

The West accuses Iran of trying to produce nuclear weapons under a civilian cover, a charge Tehran denies. Iran says it needs to enrich uranium as a peaceful, alternative energy source.

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany reached agreement on Thursday on a draft resolution imposing tougher sanctions against Tehran for failing to halt uranium enrichment.

"Iran must freeze uranium enrichment. The UN Security Council will then take a break, too, and the parties would gather at the negotiating table," he said.

Ivanov also warned against drawing a link between Iran's nuclear program and its Bushehr nuclear power plant, being built with Russian help.

"It is a separate issue. All the work being done is under the International Atomic Energy Agency's strict control," he said.

Editor: Donald