"We should show Iran that we adhere to diplomatic methods but Iran, too, should meet its commitments," Merkel was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying, after talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

Merkel said that Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was due to present a report on the Iranian nuclear problem at the UN Security Council later this week.

"After he presents the report, it will be clear what moves we'll be making. The report should reflect the international community's making coordinated moves," Merkel said.

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a presidential statement on March 29, calling on Iran to resume suspension of alluranium enrichment-related activities and asked ElBaradei to report the latest progress on Iranian compliance to the IAEA and the Security Council within 30 days.

Iran said on Tuesday it would suspend relations with the IAEA if sanctions were imposed.

The chancellor underlined the fact that the political directors of the five veto-wielding countries of the UN Security Council and the European troika -- France, Britain and Germany -- would meet early in May.

Germany "is very interested in the international community's consolidated work" in resolving the Iranian nuclear problem, she said.

Merkel arrived in Tomsk on Wednesday for regular consultations with Putin. It was the second meeting between Putin and Merkel since the new German cabinet was formed in November, and their first inter-state consultations.

Trade and economic ties were central to the consultations. During their two-day talks, they discussed cooperation in the fuel and energy sector, particularly fuel delivery, energy resources and energy security.