Russia to back UN sanctions on Iran

A SENIOR Russian lawmaker last night said Moscow would likely back a draft UN Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme — a statement that contrasted with the Russian foreign minister’s criticism of the draft.

Russia and China, both veto-wielding Security Council members with strong commercial ties to Tehran, have consistently been reluctant to support sanctions. But China issued muted criticism of Iran yesterday over its standoff with the Security Council.

Asked about comments from the Iranian president that Tehran would oppose any sanctions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said “the relevant parties should not take any measures that may escalate the situation”.