Russia's priority task in the dispute over Iran's nuclear program is to prevent the violation of the nuclear non-proliferation regime, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday.

"The major task for us is not even our bilateral relations, or our investments in Iran's economy or our economic benefit from cooperation with Iran. In this situation, our priority task is to prevent the violation of the nuclear non-proliferation regime," Lavrov said on Ekho Moskvy radio.

"We couldn't calmly watch what happens until we make sure that we'll be able to avoid this threat," he said.

Russia, which is helping Iran build its first nuclear power plant in Bushehr, has proposed to enrich its uranium under a joint venture on the former Soviet republic's soil. But Iran removed UN seals at its Natanz nuclear research facility on Tuesday to pave the way for resumption of research on uranium enrichment.

Iran's move drew immediate international condemnation. The European Union has called for an emergency session of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to vote on referring Iran to the UN Security Council to face possible economic sanctions.

Moscow expressed "deep disappointment" with Iran's decision and said a referral to the UN Security Council is possible if it continues with its sensitive nuclear work.

But Lavrov said Moscow is "convinced that it was necessary to use all chances within the IAEA framework."

At the upcoming meeting of the IAEA board of governors, everything will depend on Iran's reaction and the IAEA's strategy,Lavrov said. "We want consensus," he added.