Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Iran had a right to a peaceful nuclear programme but slammed as "unacceptable" its threats against its regional nemesis Israel.
"Iran is in a very difficult region," Putin told a televised question-and-answer session in Moscow.

"And when we hear threats from Iran against its neighbours, particularly Israel, when we hear from Iran that Israel must be destroyed -- I think this is completely unacceptable."

Putin appeared to be referring to comments made over the years by Iran's outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who will stand down when his second terms expires shortly after Friday's national election.