Russia Opposes New U.N. Sanctions on Iran

Published December 05, 2015

MOSCOW -- Russia says it would not support new or tighter sanctions against Iran despite a U.N. nuclear agency report that it is on the brink of developing a nuclear warhead.

Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov says that "any additional sanctions against Iran would be perceived by the international community as an instrument for regime change in Tehran."

Speaking Wednesday to the Interfax news agency, he is quoted as saying that Russia finds new sanctions unacceptable and "does not intend to consider such proposals."

Gatilov said Russia believes that dialogue with Iran is the only way forward.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said late Tuesday that it would not comment on the International Atomic Energy Agency report until it had had time to study it carefully.