Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has urged support for Iranian President Hassan Rohanis nuclear stance, saying Moscow "absolutely agrees" that Tehrans nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully, not via ultimatums."We absolutely agree with what he [President Rohani] said. We need to resolve this, like any other problem, not on the level of ultimatums, but on the basis of respectful relations with a partner," Lavrov said in Rome on Tuesday.
"Now it is critical to support the constructive approach of the Iranian leadership," the Russian foreign minister added.
He also called on the P5+1 group of world powers - Russia, China, France, Britain, and the US plus Germany -- to throw their support behind the attitude of the new Iranian administration.
Addressing reporters on Tuesday at his first news conference since assuming office, President Rohani expressed Irans readiness to engage in serious talks over the countrys nuclear energy program while reaffirming Tehrans determination to pursue a win-win approach to the issue.
We are prepared to enter serious and meaningful negotiations with determination and without wasting time, and if our opposing party is equally ready, I am confident that the concerns of both sides will be allayed through dialogue, Rohani stated.
As a veto-wielding power at the UN Security Council, Russia has repeatedly expressed its support for Iran's nuclear energy program, voicing opposition to sanctions slapped on Tehran.
Lavrov also voiced Moscow's opposition to US senators latest call for additional sanctions against Iran.
"I think these ideas contradict the fundamental interests of the international community, the interests of ensuring a regime of non-proliferation," the Russian foreign minister said.
In a letter to President Barack Obama on Monday, 76 US senators urged him to impose tougher sanctions on Iran.
The US has imposed several rounds of illegal sanctions on Iran, which Washington claims to be aimed at pressuring Tehran to abandon its nuclear energy program.
The US, Israel and some of their allies falsely claim that Iran is pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program, with Washington and the European Union using the unfounded allegation as a pretext to impose illegal sanctions on Iran.
Tehran has categorically rejected West's accusation, arguing that as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and a committed member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it is entitled to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
By Press TV
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