NEW YORK: International inspectors are looking into whether a Russian scientist helped Iran carry out experiments on how to detonate a nuclear weapon, The New York Times reported Friday.

Quoting unnamed US and European officials, the report said “inspectors at the International Atomic Energy Agency are seeking information from the

scientist, who they believe acted on his own as an adviser on experiments described in a lengthy document obtained by the agency.

“The officials ... said that the document appeared authentic ... but they made it clear that they did not think the scientist was working on behalf of the Russian government,” the report added.

“Still, it is the first time that the nuclear agency has suggested that Iran may have received help from a foreign weapons scientist in developing nuclear arms.”

Six powers trying to scale back Iran’s nuclear ambitions will consult soon

via telephone about the “next steps” to take at the United Nations, a State Department official said on Wednesday.

Top State Department and foreign ministry officials from the United States, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia will debate further UN Security Council action to halt Iran’s sensitive nuclear work, the official said.

The West and Israel have accused Iran of using its nuclear programme as a cover to build nuclear arms. But Tehran insists its programme is strictly peaceful and solely aimed at generating electricity.