Russian media report Russian officials believe Iran does not currently have the capability to build a nuclear weapon.
The reports quote the director of the Foreign Ministry's department of European cooperation, Vladimir Voronkov, as saying Iran cannot create or deliver a nuclear weapon.
On Monday, Iran said U.S. President-elect Barack Obama needs to abandon a "carrot and stick" approach to Tehran's nuclear program when he takes office next month.
An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hassan Qashqavi, said Tehran will never suspend uranium enrichment, despite Mr. Obama's attempt to sway Iran away from its current nuclear track.
President-elect Obama said in an interview Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" he is prepared to offer Iran economic incentives to stop its nuclear program. But Mr. Obama warned that the international community could tighten sanctions on Iran if it refused.
The president-elect said the U.S. and its allies are willing to talk to Iran's government directly and give it a clear choice on the issue.
The United States accuses Iran of trying to build nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
