Moscow: Iran Sanctions Debate Influenced by US Report

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- A US intelligence report saying Tehran does not have a nuclear weapons program will be a factor in deciding whether new sanctions on Iran are needed, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.

“We will assess the situation on proposals for a new resolution in the United Nations Security Council on the basis of (several) factors, including the publication by the United States of data showing that Iran does not have a military nuclear program,” Lavrov told a news conference.

A US National Intelligence Estimate report released on Monday said Tehran is not conducting any non-peaceful nuclear activities, contradicting US assessments that Tehran is seeking to build a nuclear bomb.

Lavrov, speaking after a meeting with his Armenian counterpart, said the US report “confirms the conclusion we have, which is that Iran does not have a nuclear weapons program”.

He also said Russian intelligence had no evidence that Iran had a nuclear weapons program even before 2003.

Russia was encouraged by Iran’s cooperation with the United Nation’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, Lavrov said.

Russia urged Tehran to clear up outstanding questions on its nuclear program.