October 18, 2007, (LPAC)--During his landmark visit to Iran, Russian President Vladimir Putin was received by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a rare honor conferred on a non-Muslim visitor. During that meeting, Putin presented Khamenei with a proposal for reaching a solution to the conflict over Iran's nuclear program. According to the Iranian state news agency IRNA, Khamenei told Putin: "We will ponder your words and proposal."

Although details of the proposal have not been made public, China Economic Net reported that Iranian "hardliners" said the proposal called for a "time out" on UN sanctions if Iran suspends uranium enrichment. "The main reason for Putin's visit to Iran was to convey this message personally to the ultimate power in Iran," one Iranian official is quoted as saying. Khamenei reportedly told Putin that Iran is serious about continuing its nuclear energy program, including enrichment, but is not interested in adventurism.

According to Tehran Times, Ali Larijani, head of the Supreme National Security Council and chief negotiator in the nuclear issue, told reporters that Putin had made a "special proposal," and that Khamenei said it was "ponderable."

Lyndon LaRouche noted yesterday that Putin is involved in a major move to try to stop a war, although we don't know at this point the specifics of what he is up to. Neither his remarks, nor those of the Iranian leadership, should be taken at face value, LaRouche cautioned.