In an interview conducted Friday with Sir David Frost for the BBC's "Breakfast With Frost" program, Putin said the proliferation of nuclear weapons was "threat No. 1", and while pointing to the "dangerous situation" in South Asia, as well as in North Korea and the Middle East, he reiterated that Russia would not curtail its controversial nuclear cooperation with Iran, which the United States and other western countries allege is aggressively pursuing a nuclear weapons capability.

Instead, Putin said, Moscow will insist that Tehran provide "maximum access" to the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, according to the "Russian Daily Journal".

"We shall develop our relations on nuclear issues - not only with Iran but with other countries too - depending on how open they are to that established and respected international organization whose experts we all trust," Putin said.

Putin said Iranian President Mohammad Khatami had said in a telephone conversation last week that Iran was prepared to join all agreements and to place all its nuclear programs under control. It was not clear, however, whether Khatami had committed to signing the protocol insisted on by Russia's partners in the Group of Eight leading industrial countries, the daily noted.

Putin said Russia had concerns about Tehran's nuclear program but reiterated Russia's argument that countries intent on keeping their own foot in Iran were exaggerating the threat.