MOSCOW, September 5 (RIA Novosti) - Iran may make different statements in case of a military operation against the country over its controversial nuclear program, an influential Kremlin aide said Tuesday.
"If, as you know, they [Iran] are now making statements about a peaceful nuclear program, then in case of a military operation the statements will probably be much different," Igor Shuvalov said.
Shuvalov said that since most of the population of Iran consists of young people "any indiscreet steps may push this country away form the civilized world for many decades."
"We understand so far that the introduction of economic sanctions or a military operation...will result in the consolidation of the country's population around its current authorities, and then all attempts to develop its nuclear program would be supported by the people," Shuvalov said.
The Kremlin aide said: "We [Russia] by no means want to contribute to the development of nuclear weapons in Iran. We will suffer from this probably more than anyone else."
He added that Russia has always maintained its position on the strict observance of the nuclear non-proliferation regime.
The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1696 July 31, demanding that Iran suspend uranium enrichment by August 31 or face possible economic and diplomatic sanctions, but the Islamic republic refused to observe the deadline.
The September 1 report issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency said Tehran has not suspended its uranium enrichment activities, and was blocking IAEA officials from inspecting Iran's nuclear facilities.
Foreign ministers of the UN Security's Council's five permanent members, and Germany, are expected to meet September 6 in Vienna to discuss Iran's controversial nuclear program.
