MOSCOW, May 16 (Reuters) - Gazprom CEO Alexei

Miller was not on Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit

to China because he was holding talks with the Iranian

leadership, the gas behemoth said.

"Alexei Miller held talks with the Iranian leadership on the

dates of Putin's visit to China," Gazprom said.

Gazprom said on Wednesday that he was on a working visit to

Iran where Miller met Iran's First Vice President Mohammad

Mokhber and Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji.

(Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)