EuropeIranWest AsiaWorld News

Russia says diplomacy with Iran necessary

Despite US and Western to step up efforts to pressure Iran over its nuclear program, Russia still insists on diplomatic means to resolve the row.

“It’s necessary to seek diplomatic solution and possibility for negotiations with Iran,” Russia’s Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin told reporters.

“It would be better for Iran to formulate its position to enable to negotiate position,” he said.

Churkin said he has not received orders from Moscow to work on a draft resolution aimed at toughening sanctions against Iran.

Russia and China, both veto-wielding members of the 15-nation UN Security Council, have strongly resisted Western calls for further sanctions on Iran.

Over the past few weeks, Russia has appeared to be edging closer to supporting the US-prescribed package of stricter sanctions against Tehran but still seems to have reservations on the idea.

“I see no reason why the six can’t work effectively and hammer out dealings with Iran,” Churkin said referring to the five permanent members of the UN Security Council — Britain, France, China, Russia and the United States — plus Germany.

“The key thing is to have this matter resolved peacefully,” he added.

Churkin’s comments come after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in a statement that Moscow would support a new round of sanctions against Tehran as long as it did not create a humanitarian crisis.

The US and its European allies have been pushing hard for tougher sanctions against Iran in a bid to force the country into meeting their demands.

They claim that Tehran is pursuing military ends through its nuclear program. The allegation, however, has never been validated by the UN nuclear watchdog, whose inspectors monitor Iran’s activities extensively.

Iran, a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, says its program is directed at the civilian applications of the technology, including energy production.

Leave a Reply

Back to top button