The option of sanctions against Iran over its disputed nuclear program is exhausted and the issue should be solved by talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday.
“We consider the road of sanctions against Iran exhausted,” Lavrov said. “To threaten with sanctions and moreover with air strikes is to exclude the possibility of a negotiated solution.”
“Isolation or confrontation has no chance of success with regard to Iran,” Lavrov went on, adding that Russia was working actively with Iran.
He also said Iran should be invited to join Iran Six talks. The Iran Six, which comprises Russia, the United States, China, Britain, France and Germany, has been trying since 2003 to convince Iran to halt its uranium enrichment program and to alleviate concerns about its nuclear ambitions.
Lavrov said that the latest report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Iran does not contain anything new. He also said the agency should name the source of its information, which analysts say suggests Iran is attempting to build nuclear weapons.
“The latest report of the IAEA chief executive does not contain anything new,” Lavrov said. “It is just once again confirming that Iran has not yet given any explanations on several issues.”
The West, led by the United States, suspects Iran of pursuing a secret nuclear weapons program, but the Islamic Republic insists it needs nuclear power only for civilian purposes. Iran is already the subject of a wide range of international sanctions.
