Russia says it won't allow Iran to be 'punished`
Oct. 22, 2006. 01:00 AM
MOSCOW
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says Moscow won't allow the UN Security Council to be used to punish Iran over its nuclear program. He said Russia, which has Security Council veto power, is ready to discuss ways to pressure Iran into accepting a broader international oversight of its nuclear program but would "oppose any attempts to use the Security Council to punish Iran or use Iran's program in order to promote the ideas of regime change there."
Also yesterday, Iran offered to talk with the West about its disputed nuclear program. The U.S. and its partners are expected to soon circulate a draft resolution for limited sanctions against Tehran.
Associated Press
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