Russia backs plan for 'time-out' on Iran nuclear dispute
Russia today signalled that it backs a “time-out” proposed by the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency that calls for holding off on imposing UN sanctions if Tehran suspends uranium enrichment.
“We believe the initiative put forward by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head … suggesting that Iran suspend uranium enrichment in exchange for the UN Security Council’s reciprocal step regarding resolution 1737 deserves close attention,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a Moscow statement.
Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, proposed the plan during the World Economic Forum in Switzerland in an effort to end the stand-off between the West and Iran over the Islamic republic’s suspect nuclear programme.
Iran, however, on Sunday said it needed time to review the plan.
In December the Security Council voted unanimously to impose limited sanctions on Iran after it ignored demands to halt enrichment.
Iranian state-run radio also said on Sunday that Tehran wanted Moscow to help mediate the stand-off, saying Tehran’s leaders were looking to Russia for new proposals, such as enrichment of uranium on Russian soil.
