Russia opposes new UN measures against Iran on its nuclear programme

Moscow, Sep 20 (UNI) Russia is opposed to any new UN measures against Iran over its disputed nuclear programme for now, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement today.

The statement came after six world powers met yesterday to discuss a fourth round of UN sanctions against Tehran suspected of seeking to develop nuclear weapons. The meeting in Washington brought no agreement.

''We spoke out against extra measures by the UN Security Council at the current stage,'' the statement said.

''The Russian side stressed the need to continue efforts to get Tehran engaged in a constructive dialogue aimed at starting a process of negotiations,'' it added.

Tehran insists it pursues nuclear research to generate electricity.

The US and other Western powers have pushed for tougher sanctions against Iran for its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment.

Meanwhile, Russia has urged Iran to implement UN resolutions, the official spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Andrei Nesterenko said yesterday.

''We believe it is important that Tehran implement all measures that were previously formulated in decisions of the IAEA Board of Governors and then reinforced by UN Security Council resolutions,'' Mr Nesterenko told mediapersons.

He said the measures were important for international confidence to be restored in the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear programme, which Western powers believe has military goals. The IAEA report was released on September 15.

''As far as our position is concerned, we are still studying this document, and it will be discussed by the IAEA Board of Governors, whose session will start on September 22,'' he said.

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