Tehran, Iran ? Russia’s top nuclear official expressed confidence Saturday that the U.N. atomic watchdog agency still could resolve the international standoff over Iran’s program, Russian news agencies reported.

Sergei Kiriyenko, head of the state atomic energy agency, said resolving the persistent questions about the intent of Iran’s nuclear program “within the framework of the IAEA is absolutely realistic,” Russian news agencies reported.

A resolution involving the International Atomic Energy Agency could avert U.N. Security Council sanctions against the Islamic republic.

Still, Iran’s hard-line president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, insisted his country could endure international sanctions for the sake of their nuclear program.