Iran Nuclear Watch:Manouchehr Mottaki – Russia and China Oppose United Nations Sanctions and Military Attacks
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (bottom) attends a meeting in Tehran as Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki stands in the background in this April 26, 2006 file photo. Mottaki was quoted on May 2 as saying that Russia and China had officially informed Tehran they would not support sanctions or military action over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme.
Reuters:Iran says Russia and China will not back sanctions
Iran’s foreign minister was quoted on Tuesday as saying that Russia and China had officially informed Tehran they would not support sanctions or military action over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.
U.N. ambassadors from the United States, Britain and France are expected to introduce a resolution this week to legally oblige Iran to comply with U.N. Security Council demands it halt all uranium enrichment work.
When asked how far Russia and China, veto-wielding permanent members of the council, would support Washington, Manouchehr Mottaki told the Kayhan newspaper:
“The thing these two countries have officially told us and expressed in diplomatic negotiations is their opposition to sanctions and military attacks.”
“At the current juncture, I personally believe no sanctions or anything like that will be on the agenda of the Security Council,” he said in the interview.
So, what is new?
Russia and China will NEVER support sactions against Iran. They both have too many economic/business relationships with the Mullahs.
China and Russia both have big energy interests in Iran, the world’s fourth biggest oil exporter. In 2005, more than 11 percent of China’s crude imports came from Iran. Russia’s LUKOIL is exploring the Anaran oilfield in western Iran.
China is also planning a multi-billion-dollar deal to buy Iranian Liquefied Natural Gas when it comes onstream in return for an upstream stake in a huge southern Iranian oilfield.
Russia has been helping Iran build its first nuclear power station at the southern port of Bushehr, a $1 billion project, and Tehran has said it is keen for foreign firms, particularly Russian, to play a role in building more reactors.
What about the trade relationships between Russia/China and the United States?
Well, they are strained but do not be surprised when the United States works a trade deal to sabotage Russia/China’s Iranian relationship.
Stay tuned…..
The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.
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