Russia affirms opposition to UN resolution on Iran

MOSCOW: Russia affirmed on Saturday its opposition to the draft resolution on Iran's nuclear programme currently under discussion at the UN Security Council in New York.

The document in its current form, proposed by Britain, France and the US, needed 'significant corrections', news agency Interfax quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak as saying in Moscow. Talks on the issue at UN headquarters in New York would continue, Kislyak said.

Analysts, however, said an agreement on the issue was not expected before a meeting of Security Council foreign ministers on Monday.

The draft resolution to force Iran to suspend its nuclear activities would have no teeth without enforcement measures under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter. Russia and China have strongly oppose the inclusion of Chapter 7, fearing that it would lead to using military force on Iran.
 
Kislyak reiterated Russia's proposal to jointly enrich Iranian uranium on its soil, saying that with this step Iran could restore international trust in its nuclear aims.