MOSCOW, Oct. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied on Monday allegations of Russian cooperation with Iran on missile technology.

    "Similar reports appeared about 10 years ago. The Russian government had dealt with each case. I have not heard of any similar problems ever since," Lavrov told a press briefing.

    "It sounds strange that Western press recollected those events today," he said.

    The top Russian diplomat also said the Iranian nuclear program remains a key issue and it is necessary to focus on non-proliferation.

    Lavrov reaffirmed Sunday that Russia backs the nuclear rights of Iran, whose nuclear program has sparked Western concerns of nuclear proliferation and prompted a US-driven push for hauling Iran before the UN Security Council for sanctions.

    Russian support for the Iranian claim to nuclear energy underlined the split it has over Iran with the United States, which accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons under the guise of acivilian nuclear program.

    Iran said its nuclear program is dedicated exclusively to powergeneration. Enditem