Russia says force not the answer on Iran

Reuters: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said negotiation was the key to solving the Iran nuclear stand-off with the West and said neither Moscow nor Beijing would support a U.N. resolution that is an “excuse” for force. BEIJING (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said negotiation was the key to solving the Iran nuclear stand-off with the West and said neither Moscow nor Beijing would support a U.N. resolution that is an “excuse” for force.

Iran reiterated on Monday that it would reject any European proposal that demanded the Islamic Republic halt uranium enrichment.

“Russia has always advocated using political and diplomatic efforts to solve the nuclear issues of Iran and the Korean peninsula,” Lavrov said in Beijing after meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

“Nobody should threaten these countries or use military force… Russia and China will not vote for any resolution that is an excuse for the use of force.”

Iran has said enrichment is a national right and has refused to comply with U.N. demands to halt the work.

The United States and its European allies are seeking a resolution that would oblige Iran to stop enrichment but are facing Russian and Chinese objections.