Russia warns US not to use nuclear issue to change Iran
RUSSIA: Russia's security chief issued a veiled warning to Washington
on Sunday not to use the Iranian nuclear issue to try to change Tehran's
political course.
"We oppose this question being used as an instrument of pressure,
being used to interfere in Iran's internal affairs," said Igor Ivanov,
the head of Russia's Security Council, Interfax news agency reported.
At the same time Ivanov, who is Russia's chief negotiator with Iran
over its nuclear programme, called on Tehran to clarify unanswered
questions about its uranium enrichment activities.
"For 18 years Iran conducted enrichment that was not under the
control of the International Atomic Energy Agency. We insist that these
questions be resolved," Ivanov told the Council for International and
Defence Policy, a club of Russian officials and foreign policy
specialists.
"If this issue is closed, then Iran will have the right to develop
peaceful atomic programmess."
A nuclear-armed Iran "would present a threat to Russia's interests
both directly and indirectly. We will do everything to make sure this
doesn't happen," Ivanov said.
He also said that Russia's suspension last week of plans to launch a
nuclear power plant it is building near the Iranian town of Bushehr was
not linked to Iran's possible pursuit of nuclear weapons.
"This is an independent question, and all the work that is done and
continues there is under the strict control of the IAEA," he said.
Moscow, Monday, AFP |