A top Russian official says Moscow will veto any US attempt in the UN Security Council to impose a new round of sanctions against Iran. In a telephone interview with Press TV on Friday, Russian Duma Deputy Sergei Markov said Moscow adheres to the strategy of providing Tehran with security insurance rather than threatening the country over its nuclear program.
"The major threat to the security of Iran is coming from the United States," Markov added.
| Sure as hell isn't coming from Europe ... |
He was referring to the carrot-and-stick policy adopted by the Bush administration toward Iran. The US, claiming to be committed to a diplomatic solution to the standoff, has sought to persuade Iran to abandon uranium enrichment through the imposition of sanctions, offers of incentives, and threats of launching strikes against nuclear installations in the country.
Markov's remarks come shortly after the US envoy to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, urged members of the Security Council on Thursday to approve new financial sanctions against Iran.
Russia's envoy to the council responded to Khalilzad's plea by saying that Moscow could decide for itself how to be vigilant about Iranian financial transactions. Markov added that US threats against Iran would not resolve the issue; but instead, Washington risks encouraging Tehran to seek nuclear weapons in order to ensure its security.
| The usual "it's all your fault" meme ... |
US President George W. Bush has repeatedly threatened Iran with war under the pretext that Tehran, a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), seeks nuclear weaponry. |