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Russia says Iran sanction ineffective
A senior Russian official says despite efforts by certain Western countries, halting Iran's nuclear program will be a "difficult task" to accomplish. Mikhail Margelov, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council of Russia, in an interview with radio Echo of Moscow questioned the "efficiency and effectiveness" of sanctions against Tehran. The officials said, "Iran is the most powerful country in the Middle East and the Muslim world." The US and its allies have been trying to use their privileges at the United Nations Security Council to push through a fourth round of sanctions against Iran, while China and Russia have been reluctant to go along with the plan. Although UN nuclear watchdog inspectors stationed in Iran have not been able to find evidence to support Western claims of diversion in the Iranian nuclear program, the US and its allies allege that Iran intends to develop nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian program -- a claim rejected by Tehran. Iran says, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, its nuclear program is peaceful and aimed at civilian application of the technology. Margelov also said that he does not believe "sanctions will serve as a means to come to an understanding between Iran and the international community." Posted by: Fred 2010-03-24 |
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