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Russia not really trusting Iran on its nuclear deal

“Despite Russia’s years of efforts to resolve the nuclear dispute, the response from the Iranian side has been unsatisfactory,”

Russia Doubts Iran’s Commitment to Nuclear Deal | Asbarez Armenian NewsMOSCOW (Combined Sources) 27 May 2010,—Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov voiced doubt on Thursday about whether Tehran would fulfill the terms of a deal brokered by Brazil and Turkey aimed at resolving the Iranian nuclear crisis.“There are no 100 percent guarantees. Very much will depend on how Iran will approach its commitments. If it strictly abides by them, Russia will actively support the scheme proposed by Brazil and Turkey,” Lavrov said.

“Despite Russia’s years of efforts to resolve the nuclear dispute, the response from the Iranian side has been unsatisfactory,” he added in comments that indicated growing dismay with Iran in Russia.After years of resistance, Russia is now supporting possible new sanctions against Iran over concern that it is developing nuclear weapons. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took Russia to task for this on Wednesday, saying it was difficult to gauge whether the Kremlin was a friend or an enemy. “This statement is being interpreted as emotional,” Lavrov said at a news conference in Moscow……

On Monday, Iran formally notified the International Atomic Energy Agency of its agreement to the nuclear fuel swap deal, under which it would ship some low-enriched uranium to Turkey in return for higher-grade fuel for a Tehran research reactor.

Western governments have been dismissive of the deal, arguing that the international community needs to keep up the pressure on Tehran to heed U.N. Security Council demands over its nuclear program.

Brazil and Turkey had written letters to the leaders of the United States, France, Russia and Mexico, stressing the importance of the nuclear fuel swap agreement and saying it indicated Iran’s readiness for dialogue.

Iran is already under three sets of U.N. sanctions over its refusal to suspend the sensitive process, which lies at the center of Western fears that the program is cover for a drive for a nuclear weapon. Iran denies any such ambition. Russia Doubts Iran’s Commitment to Nuclear Deal | Asbarez Armenian News

May 28, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, politics international | antinuclear, disarmament, nuclear, nuclear weapons