No signal on Iran sanctions for Russia's UN mission - envoy

The Russian permanent mission to the United Nations has not yet received any signal to start working on new sanctions against Iran, Russia's ambassador to the UN said on Wednesday.

Emanuel Issoze-Ngondet of Gabon, who holds the rotating Security Council's presidency for this month, said on Tuesday that the 15-member UN body might discuss the resolution later in March, though the issue has yet to be put on the agenda.

Vitaly Churkin told reporters on Wednesday that the Russian delegation to the UN "has not yet been instructed to start its work on a new [Security Council] resolution," which imposes the fourth set of sanctions against the Islamic republic over its controversial nuclear program.

Iran's recent move to begin enriching uranium to 20% sparked a new wave of international criticism, with the U.S. leading calls for new harsher sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Russia and China, who are veto-wielding Security Council members, have so far been reluctant to the move. However, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday he does not rule out sanctions, but they should be balanced and wise and not target civilians.

NEW YORK, March 3 (RIA Novosti)