Russia rebuffs Israel over tougher sanctions on Iran

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has announced that Moscow is against imposing “crippling sanctions” on Iran over its nuclear energy program.

“The term ‘crippling sanctions’ on Iran is totally unacceptable to us. The sanctions should aim at strengthening the regime of non-proliferation,” Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Friday.

He made the comments in opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had asked Russia to help slap biting sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

“What is needed now is biting sanctions that have the power to influence the regime, bitter sanctions that have to hit, in a convincing way, the (Iranian) oil industry, imports, exports and refining,” visiting Netanyahu told reporters after holding talks Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, as part of his efforts to garner support for tough sanctions against Iran.

However, the Russian side rejected the idea saying, “We have always favored the resolution of problems regarding the Iranian nuclear program through dialogue and, if possible, interaction with Iran.”

Israel, along with the West, accused Iran of pursuing military ends through its nuclear program — a charge Tehran has repeatedly denied.

The Islamic Republic says its nuclear program is solely aimed at the civilian application of the technology.

Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign ministry official said Moscow is committed to supply Iran with the S-300 air defense system according to the existing contract between the two states.

“There is a contract to supply these systems to Iran and we will fulfill it. The delays are linked to technical problems with adjusting these systems,” he said.

Israel and the United States have repeatedly asked Russia to scrap the deal. However, Ryabkov has warned against politicizing Russia’s arms exports to Iran.