Rusmet cited Mr Jesse Chacon science and technology minister of Venezuela as saying that his country is working with Russia to detect deposits of uranium but withdrew an earlier denial that the country was also working with Iran.
Mr Jesse Chacon originally denied the reports that Venezuela is receiving support from Iran to seek uranium but clarified later that his comments were only in regard to Russia and that exploration efforts with Iran fall under the direction of Venezuela's Mining Ministry.
Mr Rodolfo Sanz mining minister of Venezuela said that Iran is helping Venezuela to detect uranium deposits and that initial evaluations suggest reserves are significant. His announcement was made the same day world leaders criticized the Islamic republic for secretly building a uranium enrichment plant that could be used to make an atomic bomb.
Mr Sanz declined to respond to reporters when questioned about Mr Chacon's remarks. Mr Hugo Chavez president of Venezuela said only that Venezuela has a lot of uranium.
Mr Chavez had expressed interest in developing nuclear energy as early as 2005 and mentioned Venezuela could discuss it with Iran. He said that during a visit to Tehran earlier this month that the 2 nations agreed to work together on geological studies in the Venezuelan Andes and the foothills in his home state of Barinas, where satellite information indicated the existence of different minerals that are very important for the country's development."
Mr Ian Kelly spokesman of US State Department said that US officials have concerns about the possible exchange of nuclear material between Venezuela and Iran. But analysts say Iran, which has its own uranium deposits, doesn't have any immediate need to import the metal.
Mr Chavez's project remains in its planning stages and still faces a host of practical hurdles likely requiring billions of dollars, as well as technology and expertise that Venezuela lacks.
Russia has offered to help bridge that gap but Mr Sergei Novikov a spokesman for Russian state nuclear agency Rosatom said that there are no concrete projects and that any joint mining of uranium or the radioactive metal thorium is still a long way off. Both Mr Chavez and Iranian President Mr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are well known for their anti US rhetoric and have forged ties in everything from finance to factories, provoking concerns in Washington. Iran now manufactures cars, tractors and bicycles in Venezuela.
