RUSSIA warned Iran last night that unless it ceases uranium enrichment within days, Moscow will support new United Nations sanctions being prepared by the West against the Islamic Republic.
The ultimatum is the strongest signal yet that Russia is toughening its stance towards Iran, which the US, Britain and France suspect of seeking nuclear weapons.
Russia's UN envoy, Vitaly Churkin, said Moscow could back a sanctions resolution that
the powers have drafted and want discussed in the Security Council this week.
"If Iran in the next few days does not stop the enrichment activities of its heavy water project, then yes, Russia ... has taken upon itself certain commitments … to support the resolution that has been drafted in the past month," Mr Churkin said in New York.
"Russia is constantly insisting that the (UN] Security Council adopt certain sanctions against Iran," he said.
Tehran denies it has a nuclear weapons programme and says it has a right to enrich uranium.
Russia, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has in recent weeks criticised Iran's test launch of a rocket and warned it not to ignore the international community.
It has urged Iran's leadership to give full information on its nuclear programme to the UN's nuclear watchdog.
Russia's support for sanctions appears to mark a shifting of stance. Moscow has a long history of co-operation with Iran.
The new sanctions resolution formally submitted by France and Britain calls for measures including asset freezes and mandatory travel bans for Iranian officials.
It also expands the list of Iranian officials and companies targeted by the sanctions.
The full article contains 272 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
