Air strikes against Iran will create imbalance in the region: Russ

Moscow, Apr 30 (UNI) Former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov has warned that air strikes against Iran will fuel a ''huge wave of extremism'' in West Asia.

''No doubt, an air strike against Iran would lead to very serious consequences in the entire region,'' Mr Primakov said in an interview to Israeli newspaper the Jerusalem Post.

Mr Primakov is currently on a visit to Israel as the head of the Russian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, on the invitation of the Israeli Association of Industrialists.

''This could cause a huge wave of extremism in the Middle East and in this situation it would be very difficult for the current regimes in Arab countries to stay in power,'' Mr primakov said.

''Therefore, Russia is full of resolve to take all possible diplomatic efforts to prevent this scenario and at the same time take steps so that Iran does not create nuclear weapons,'' he added.

He however, pointed out that tough measures must not be applied against Tehran because it had not actually violated the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

''Today the problem is that despite some deviations, Tehran is not violating the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and, therefore, tough measures must not be taken against Iran,'' he said.

He also noted it was too early to discard Moscow's offer to Iran to enrich uranium on Russian soil.

''This proposal could be adjusted and submitted for discussion at a summit of the G-8, in St Petersburg in July, to be chaired by Russia,'' he said.

Adding further, he said the idea was that countries, which need enriched uranium for peaceful purposes, should turn to nuclear club members, instead of producing enriched uranium themselves.

''Therefore, Iran and other nations would be able to receive enriched uranium. Iran could accept the proposal while saving face,'' he noted.

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