Russia and China warn against push on Iran

RUSSIA and China warned the United States and European Union yesterday against escalating the nuclear stand-off with Iran, potentially blocking a Western drive to haul Tehran before the UN Security Council.

The European Union has circulated a US-backed draft resolution calling on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) governing board to report Iran's secretive nuclear programme to the Security Council, which could impose sanctions.

Western countries suspect Tehran is developing atomic weapons under cover of a civilian nuclear energy programme.