Russia criticises Iran over uranium enrichment

Russia’s Foreign Ministry today criticised Iran after its president said Tehran had successfully enriched uranium for the first time, a potential step toward developing nuclear weapons, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported.

“We believe that this step is wrong. It goes in contradiction to decisions of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and resolutions of the UN Security Council,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin was quoted as saying by ITAR-Tass.

The official added that Russia had learned “with concern” of the Iranian announcement.

The announcement from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was certain to heighten international tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme, which Tehran maintains is a peaceful energy programme.

The UN Security Council has demanded that Iran stop all enrichment by April 28 because of suspicions the programme is designed to make nuclear weapons.