Vladimir Putin(r) shakes hands with Israeli PM Ehud Olmert during their meeting in Moscow, Oct. 18, 2006

Israel's Prime Minister has urged Russia to join ranks against Iran's nuclear program.

Speaking in Moscow after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the entire international community should unite to block what he called Iran's intention to build nuclear weapons.

Mr. Olmert said he is confident that Mr. Putin understands Israel's concerns.

But in a joint news conference Wednesday, Mr. Putin said nothing about Iran's nuclear program. He said Russia wants to help restart peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Russia has been reluctant to go along with proposed sanctions against Tehran.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani warned today that if the U.N. Security Council approves sanctions, the situation would be, in his word, "radicalized."

He implied that Iran would reject further negotiations over the nuclear program, and he warned that Iran could suspend cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the IAEA if sanctions are imposed.

On Tuesday, the European Union endorsed limited sanctions against the Tehran government.

Iran has ignored an August 31 U.N. deadline to suspend uranium enrichment activities.

The U.S. and other world powers believe Tehran is seeking to build atomic weapons, a charge Iran denies.

Russia is building Iran's first nuclear power plant.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.