Putin delays Iran visit after assassination report

updated 10:20 p.m. ET Oct. 15, 2007

WIESBADEN, Germany - Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged Monday to negotiate with Iran on behalf of the international community over the nuclear standoff, although he didn’t come to Tehran as scheduled amid warnings of a possible assassination plot.

Putin’s planned trip, the first here by a Kremlin leader since World War II, raised hopes that personal diplomacy could find a solution to the impasse over the Iranian nuclear program, but he delayed his arrival, which had been set for Monday evening.

The Russian leader insisted to reporters in Germany that he was going ahead with the trip, but the Kremlin declined to discuss details. The official Iranian news agency said late Monday that Putin had only put off his trip by several hours and would be in Tehran early Tuesday in time for a Caspian region summit.

“Putin will arrive in Tehran at the head of a delegation tomorrow morning,” the Islamic Republic News Agency said, quoting Iran’s presidential press service.

Iran gave no further details, and Kremlin officials wouldn’t comment on reasons for the delay or say exactly when Putin would arrive. Officials in Germany, where Putin wrapped up a two-day visit, said they could not say where the Russian leader was.

Russia leader responds to threats
Putin’s trip was first thrown into doubt when the Kremlin said Sunday that he had been informed by Russian special services that suicide attackers might try to kill him in Tehran, but he shrugged off the warning Monday.

“Of course I am going to Iran,” he said after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. “If I always listened to all the various threats and the recommendations of the special services I would never leave home.”

The remark played into the carefully crafted image of a fearless leader that Putin has cultivated, and also appeared aimed at emphasizing that he is in control — not under undue influence from security officials — as he maneuvers to maintain influence after his presidential term ends next year.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini dismissed reports about the purported assassination plot as disinformation spread by adversaries hoping to spoil good relations between Russia and Iran.

'They are not afraid'
Putin has warned the U.S. and other nations against trying to coerce Iran into reining in its nuclear program and insists peaceful dialogue is the only way to deal with Tehran’s defiance of a U.N. Security Council demand that it suspend uranium enrichment.

“Threatening someone, in this case the Iranian leadership and Iranian people, will lead nowhere,” Putin said in Germany. “They are not afraid, believe me.”

Iran’s rejection of the council’s demand and its previous clandestine atomic work has fed suspicions in the U.S. and other countries that Tehran is working to enrich uranium to a purity usable in nuclear weapons. Iran insists it is only wants lesser-enriched uranium to fuel nuclear reactors that would generate electricity.

MORE FROM EUROPE

Europe Section Front

Climbing fall kills 4 as mom watches French military to slash troop levels Man stunned that Karadzic used his ID Ukraine leader: Ex-ally tied to poisoning Russia denies report of Cuba bombers Obama speaks in Berlin British wartime code center under threat Motor racing chief wins 'Nazi' orgy lawsuit World Blog: On the hunt for Dr. Karadzic Europe Section Front   Add Europe headlines to your news reader: