Russia FM Blasts US Over Iran Sanctions

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Source: AFP

TEHRAN (AFP) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticised United States sanctions against Iran as "not helpful" after meeting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran on Tuesday.

He also called on the Iranian leader to be "more active" in allaying the international atomic watchdog's concerns over Tehran's controversial nuclear programme.

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China also issued an unusually blunt statement saying it remained opposed to further sanctions against Iran and insisted diplomacy was the best way to resolve the issue.

"Under the current circumstances we do not support further sanctions, as that would worsen the situation," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told reporters.

The White House has recently ramped up its rhetoric against Iran, warning the world about "nuclear holocaust" and "World War III" if Tehran obtained atomic weapons.



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