Russia urges Iran to respond to uranium enrichment compromise
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov sent a tough warning to Iran on Friday, saying its nuclear program could be discussed at the UN Security Council if Tehran fails to respond to Western compromise offers.
"We reaffirmed that if we see no constructive response from Iran, we will have to discuss the issue at the UN Security Council," Lavrov said following talks in Berlin with his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle.
Iran may face a fourth set of Security Council sanctions over its uranium enrichment activities, which Western powers fear are aimed at building nuclear weapons. Tehran insists its nuclear program is designed for peaceful power generation.
Lavrov said he will meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki later in the day in Munich.
Mottaki is to attend the Munich Security Conference, which starts on Friday and involves senior world politicians and officials.
Russia, a veto-wielding Security Council member, has been a major player in the long-running nuclear dispute with Iran. Another crucial player, China, has been reluctant to back tougher sanctions.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said on Thursday discussions on sanctions would "complicate the situation and might stand in the way of finding a diplomatic solution."
