MOSCOW - Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Natan Sharansky said Wednesday that he had found understanding among Russian officials for Israel's tough stance toward the Palestinians, but that there was still a strong divide between Tel Aviv and Moscow over providing military
technology to Iran.

"Israel expects tougher steps from Russia to step up control over the flow of technologies to countries such as Iran," Sharansky was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency. "Although certain progress has been made here, we believe that Russia can do much more."

The United States and Israel have voiced concern over Russia's ties with Iran, saying they may lead to the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

Russia agreed in March to provide Tehran with dlrs 7 billion worth of arms over the next several years. Moscow says it would only supply defensive weapons and promises to avoid sending any dual-purpose technology that may help Iran develop its nuclear weapons program.

There is also concern in Israel and the United States that a nuclear power plant Russia is building in Iran may help Tehran develop nuclear weapons and say Iran has already received some missile know-how from Russia. Russia has dismissed the allegations.

Sharansky met Tuesday with Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov. He also held a series of meetings with Russian Jewish community leaders and gave several interviews to Russian media in which he defended Israel's position.

Both Russia and the United States are concerned by the latest round of Israeli-Palestinian violence that included the assassination of a nationalist Israeli Cabinet minister and Israeli incursions into Palestinian-controlled areas.

In his meeting with Sharansky, Ivanov "noted the importance of activating efforts for the soonest reduction of tension, overcoming the Palestinian-Israeli consultation on the basis of fulfilling the Mitchell plan," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued Wednesday.

Sharansky told a news conference that "any talks with the Palestinians at the moment would be a concession to terrorism," Interfax reported.

He said that the Russian side had "shown understanding" on this issue, Interfax said.