Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said on Wednesday that Iran's decision to resume nuclear research was a cause for alarm.

"This disappoints me and causes certain alarm," Ivanov, who is also deputy prime minister, was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying, adding however that it is too early to say the situation is beyond hope.

Iran agreed to temporarily freeze all uranium enrichment, reprocessing and conversion-related activities in November 2004 in a pact it signed with Britain, Germany and France, representing the European Union.

Russia, which is helping Iran build its first nuclear power plant in Bushehr, has proposed to enrich uranium for Iran under a joint venture on the former Soviet country's soil.

Iran's removal of UN seals at its Natanz nuclear research facility on Tuesday followed two days of talks between Iranian and Russian officials in Tehran. The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed "deep disappointment" over the move.

The West, which accuses Iran of breaching the resolutions of the UN's nuclear watchdog, has repeatedly threatened to haul it before the UN Security Council for possible sanctions. Russia has been resisting calls for such a referral.

Asked what stance Russia will take should such a referral take place, Ivanov said Russia as a permanent member of the UN Security Council has the right to act as the situation demands. He added though: "there should be room for maneuver."

Foreign ministers of Britain, Germany and France, are to discuss responses to Iran's move at a meeting on Thursday in Berlin.

The United States accuses Iran of running a covert nuclear arms program. Iran, however, says its nuclear work is designed merely to meet its energy needs and insists on the right to develop a full nuclear fuel cycle.