Russia says Iran rocket raises nuclear suspicion: report

By Guy Faulconbridge

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Wednesday Iran's test launch of a rocket raised suspicions about the real nature of Tehran's atomic program, in what could signal a hardening of its stance towards the Islamic Republic

Iran launched a rocket on Monday designed to carry its first locally-made research satellite next year, showing the country's advances in ballistics at a time when Western powers are already wary it may be developing a nuclear weapon.

"Any movement in terms of creating such a potential weapon naturally worries us and others," Interfax news agency quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov as telling reporters.

"All the more so since it creates suspicion towards Iran about its possible desire to create a nuclear weapon," he said. "Rockets of such range are one of the components of such a weapons system. Of course this raises concern."

Russia has previously said there is no evidence Tehran is trying to make nuclear weapons. It has watered down Western attempts to impose punitive sanctions and is supplying uranium fuel to Iran's Bushehr nuclear power station.

The unusually forthright comments on the rocket launch may indicate a hardening of Russia's stance.

The United States, the Islamic Republic's arch foe, called the rocket test "unfortunate" and said it would only further isolate Tehran from the international community.

The West fears Iran, the world's fourth largest oil producer, is trying to master nuclear technology so it can build nuclear bombs.

Russia has tried to push Tehran to be more open about its nuclear program but has warned the West against pushing Iran's leaders into a corner.

Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful. Iranian officials were not immediately available for comment on the remarks by the Russian deputy minister.

SANCTIONS

Earlier, Iran hit back at U.S. criticism of the rocket launch.

"We are not responsible for the concerns of others (about the rocket). But we also see no need for concerns," government spokesman Gholamhossein Elham told reporters on Tuesday.

The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany are discussing new sanctions against Iran.

The United States says Russia and China have tried to weaken the sanctions package.