Lavrov: Bushehr and Iranian nuclear program are not connected

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There is no connection between the project of construction by Russian specialists an atomic power plant in Bushehr and the Iran’s program of nuclear fuel enrichment, a REGNUM correspondent reports minister of foreign affairs of Russia Sergei Lavrov to say on March 21, while speaking in the State Duma.

Lavrov called “an unscrupulous trick” publication in the New York Times on March 20 that alleged citing an anonymous source that Russia gave Iran an ultimatum to halt uranium enrichment. In his words, this means that a party related to the negotiations became “interested in casting Russia in negative light.” The minister emphasized that the project of the Bushehr NPP construction is an example of how the non-proliferation regime works and how the IAEA instruments are employed.

Currently, a project of UN SC resolution on Iran is being discussed, Lavrov informed. He said that the project of the resolution of the “six” does not contain radical proposals suggested earlier, in particular, banning international travel and freezing credits. Russia will not support excessive sanctions against Iran and will continue to insist on a proportional and gradual persuasion of Iran. At the same time, amendments to the resolution project made by Indonesia and the Republic of South Africa that address the issue of global non-proliferation regime will be seriously considered by Moscow.