Iran Nuclear NewsRussia now opposes key parts of Iran draft

Russia now opposes key parts of Iran draft

-

AP: Russia is unexpectedly opposing key parts of a U.S.-backed Security Council draft resolution on Iran’s nuclear program, threatening international unity on how to handle Tehran’s defiance, U.N. diplomats said Saturday. Associated Press

By GEORGE JAHN

Associated Press Writer

VIENNA, Austria (AP) – Russia is unexpectedly opposing key parts of a U.S.-backed Security Council draft resolution on Iran’s nuclear program, threatening international unity on how to handle Tehran’s defiance, U.N. diplomats said Saturday.

Particularly vexing to the United States and its allies is Moscow’s refusal to endorse language demanding that Tehran freeze uranium enrichment or face potential sanctions. That refusal appears to contradict previous signals suggesting Russia was ready to support a tougher line against Iran.

As recently as July 12, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivered a veiled warning to Tehran on enrichment and its refusal to respond to an international offer to negotiate its nuclear program, saying the Security Council “will consider steps appropriate to the situation” if the Islamic republic does not comply.

The council has the power to impose political or economic sanctions.

Lavrov and his counterparts from the United States, China, Britain, France and Germany agreed that day to resume Security Council deliberations after Tehran refused requests to respond by that date to an international package of rewards in exchange for an enrichment freeze and other nuclear concessions.

Work on a resolution was suspended May 3 so the six powers could draw up a plan of perks for Iran to freeze enrichment and start talks meant to secure its agreement to a long-term moratorium on the activity, which can produce material for atomic weapons as well as fuel for reactors.

The incentives include advanced technology and the easing of U.S. sanctions on the sale of aircraft and aircraft parts.

While Iran argues it has a right under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to use the technology to generate power, there is increasing international concern that Tehran wants to enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels for use in the fissile core of nuclear warheads.

The United States, Britain and France are insisting on a freeze.

The diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the dispute, told The Associated Press there was no indication what was dictating the apparent change in Russian tactics.

But it could be as simple as Moscow’s belief that Tehran would not give up its right to enrichment. If so, any resolution demanding it do so and threatening penalties if it does not would escalate the confrontation – something the Russians fear could lead to military action.

A draft resolution drawn up by Britain and France and circulated last week among most members of the 15-nation council demands that Tehran “suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities … and suspend the construction” of its heavy water reactor, which can produce plutonium.

One of the diplomats said that demand reflected the agreement among Russia and the five other nations at the July 12 meeting in the French capital but Moscow now was “trying to distance itself from the Paris declaration.”

“They now want to water down the text,” the diplomat said.

Latest news

 Statistics show that New Year accidents’ deaths in Iran reached 585

Ahmad Shirani, the head of the Information and Traffic Control Center of the Iranian regime’s police, announced that the...

Land Subsidence in Critical Conditions in Isfahan

Mehdi Toghyani, a member of the Iranian regime’s Majlis (parliament), pointed to the occurrence of land subsidence in various...

Iran’s Actual Inflation Rate Higher Than Official Stats

The state-run Donya-e-eqtesad newspaper, in a report analyzing the "general sentiment" regarding inflation in 2023, has stated that households...

Iranian Workers’ Monthly $136 Wages Can’t Cover $500 Expenses

The lives of a significant portion of the Iranian population are marked by uncertainty, largely because the Iranian economy...

Iranian Nurses Earn Twice Their Wages in Ride-Hailing Services

Reza Aryanpour, a member of the regime’s Majlis (parliament) Health and Treatment Commission, highlighted the growing trend of nurses...

Iran: Unprecedented Record of 152 Million Liters of Gasoline Consumption Per Day

On March 19, Iran set a new historical record in gasoline consumption with 152 million liters consumed in one...

Must read

Ahmadinejad blames U.S., Israel for wars

AP: Iran's president blamed the United States and Israel...

Afghan parliament sacks foreign minister

AFP: Afghanistan's parliament voted to sack the war-torn country's...

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you