Lavrov said no decisions had been expected during Tuesday's meeting because
the nations were waiting for a report from International Atomic Energy Agency
chief Mohamed ElBaradei on Iran's nuclear program later this month. He said
Russia wants the report to be reviewed by the IAEA board before it goes to the
Security Council, which has the power to impose economic and political sanctions
on Iran.
Russia, not eager for a discussion of sanctions in the Security Council, has
repeatedly stressed that the Vienna, Austria-based IAEA is the best forum for
discussions on the Iranian program.
Lavrov's comments appeared blunter than previous ones and appeared to reflect
increasing Russian frustration with Iranian intransigence.
But a European official familiar with the Iran issue told The Associated
Press in Vienna, Austria, that initial read-outs of the Moscow meeting showed
Russia and China still opposed U.S.-led attempts to start work on a Security
Council resolution that would obligate Iran to freeze uranium enrichment and
meet other international demands — or face the possibility of military action.
The official requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.
The United States and Britain say that if Iran does not comply with the
Security Council's April 28 deadline for Tehran to stop enrichment, they will
seek a resolution making the demand compulsory.
In London, Prime Minister Tony Blair said Britain and its allies were seeking
a diplomatic solution over Iran and "nobody is talking about military invasion."
But he insisted that firm action was needed.
"I do not think it is time to send a message of weakness" because Iran's
president has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map" and there has been at
least tacit acceptance by Tehran "for young people signing up to be suicide
bombers directed at U.S., U.K. and Israeli targets," Blair said in the House of
Commons.
President Bush said Tuesday that "all options are on the table" — including
the military option — to prevent Iran from developing atomic weapons.
Russia and China, which have strong economic ties to Iran, have opposed
punitive measures. Bush said he intends to ask Chinese President Hu Jintao to
step up pressure on Iran when they meet in Washington on Thursday.
Russia has strongly opposed sanctions but has been frustrated by Iran's
refusal to give up uranium enrichment. Tehran insists its nuclear program is for
peaceful purposes, but the United States and some of its allies suspect Iran is
trying to develop weapons.
Russia has "a central role to play" in convincing Iran "that if it continues
on the present course, there will be serious consequences," said Robert Einhorn,
a senior adviser to the Center for Strategic and International Studies in
Washington.
"Iran is very self-confident now because it believes that Russia's position
on the Security Council means it doesn't have to worry about penalties," he said
in Moscow.
After the meeting hosted by the Russian Foreign Ministry, U.S. Undersecretary
of State Nicholas Burns told the AP that the possibility of sanctions had been
discussed, but he indicated that further talks were needed.
Discussions were expected Wednesday during a meeting of envoys from the Group
of Eight major industrialized nations.
"Iran's actions last week have deepened concern in the international
community and all of us agreed that the actions last week were fundamentally
negative and a step backward," Burns told the AP.
Despite tough talk from Tehran, there still was "room for maneuver" with Iran
on the question of uranium enrichment, said Russian analyst Vladimir Orlov,
director of the PIR-Center think tank.
Iran "is prepared for dialogue and is prepared voluntarily to freeze its
right to enrich uranium for some period," he said, adding that the international
community should make economic and political gestures — including security
assurances from the United States.
Einhorn said that planned U.S. talks with Iran about Iraq should be expanded
to include other issues, such as Iran's security concerns.