(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-10-15 20:20

WIESBADEN, Germany - Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted Monday that he would travel to Iran despite reports about a possible assassination attempt, saying if he paid attention to all the threats against him "I would never leave home."

Russia's Interfax news agency, citing a source in Russia's intelligence services, said Sunday that suicide terrorists had been trained to carry out the assassination in Iran.

Putin said the trip was planned long in advance and that he would talk with Iranian leaders about their disputed nuclear program, although he stressed the original purpose of the trip was to discuss issues affecting states bordering on the Caspian Sea.

"Of course I am going to Iran," Putin told reporters in a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel following talks with her. "If I always listened to all the various threats and the recommendations of the special services I would never leave home."

Iranian officials have rejected reports about the plot.

He underlined the need to solve the nuclear problem "through peaceful measures," adding that it was important to make direct contact with Tehran whenever the chance presented itself.