MOSCOW: Western concerns about Iran's nuclear intentions are well-founded, Russia's national security chief said yesterday, and suggested that more than diplomacy might be needed to end Teheran's defiance.

The remarks from the hawkish secretary of the presidential Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev, strengthened indications that Russia could agree to new UN sanctions against Iran.

Patrushev noted that Iran insists it is not seeking nuclear weapons. "But the actions it is taking ... raise doubts in other countries and those doubts are quite valid," he said in televised comments.