Putin hits the reset button, promises to help Iran finish nuclear plants

Mrs Clinton was visiting Moscow on a trip partly designed to increase the pressure on Tehran by showing America’s unity with Russia.

But Mr Putin told a meeting held in Volgodonsk, southern Russia, that work to complete the Bushehr plant on Iran’s Gulf coast would soon be complete. “The first block of the Iranian atomic power station must be launched this summer,” he said.

Asked about Mr Putin’s remarks, Mrs Clinton said it “would be premature to go forward with any project at this time, because we want to send an unequivocal message to the Iranians”.