Russia opposes Iran sanctions

RUSSIA said it remains opposed to sanctions against Iran, while China expressed hope for a negotiated solution as senior diplomats from six countries converged in Moscow yesterday to map out the next step toward solving the Iranian nuclear stand-off.

The United States and Britain say that if Iran does not comply with the UN Security Council's April 28 deadline to stop uranium enrichment, they will seek a resolution that would make the demand compulsory.

Senior diplomats from the five permanent Security Council members that wield veto power Russia, the US, France, Britain and China plus Germany met over dinner in Moscow to discuss the latest moves in the stand-off.