Moscow not ready to back strategy against Iran

RUSSIA’S foreign minister indicated yesterday that Moscow was not ready to support moves by the US and its European allies to refer Iran to the UN Security Council over its nuclear programme.

Meanwhile, the West stepped up pressure on Tehran.

Key European countries have begun work on a resolution that asks member countries of the International Atomic Energy Agency to refer Iran to the UN Security Council, while the United States is lobbying board members to vote for the measure early next month.