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Russia has power to influence Iran on nuclear issue

Russia has powerful levers to pull in persuading Iran to open up
Russia has the most powerful set of levers of all the countries cajoling Iran to become more open about its nuclear programme. By Andrew Osborn in Moscow
Telegraph.co.uk 27 Sep 2009

Moscow is helping Iran to build its first nuclear power plant and is a favoured supplier of military hardware to the Islamic Republic. It also enjoys strong trading relations with Tehran.

There is only one problem: Russia does not really believe in sanctions. When it comes to diplomacy (at least with countries outside its former sphere of influence), the Kremlin says it favours the carrot not the stick. It is in favour of engagement, dialogue and negotiations but not sanctions, and definitely not missile strikes….

……The other problem is that the Kremlin has been sending mixed messages. Vladimir Putin, the prime minister and most powerful politician in Russia, has publicly denounced the idea of sanctions against Iran.

Russia has powerful levers to pull in persuading Iran to open up – Telegraph

September 28, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, Russia, weapons and war | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear weapons, uranium