Clinton, Lavrov agree on diplomatic route with Iran (1st Lead)

Oct 13, 2009, 11:58 GMT

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addresses to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during their meeting in Moscow, Russia 13 October 2009. The meeting was to discuss the Iranian nuclear problem, missile defense and strategic offensive armaments. EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV

   Moscow - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov agreed in talks in Moscow Tuesday to pursue a diplomatic route in regards to Iran's nuclear programme.

Stating in a press conference that it was not yet time for sanctions against Iran, Clinton, however, did not exclude the possibility of sanctions in principle, adding that Iran's nuclear programme was a serious problem.

The US official also confirmed that Iran indeed did have a right to use nuclear energy for civilian purposes, but that the international community had to be completely convinced of the peaceful intentions of the programme.

For his part, the Russian foreign minister said his government was very critical of the Iranian nuclear programme, but added that extreme pressure on Tehran would currently be 'counterproductive.'

   Last month, Tehran revealed the existence of a second nuclear plant as part of its nuclear programme, which it insists is for peaceful purposes.

   Russian President Dmitry Medvedev joined the US and its allies in expressing concern and warned that Russia as a United Nations Security Council veto power could - contrary to its prior position - support sanctions against Iran if it failed to live up to its obligations on its nuclear fuel programme.

Meanwhile, Lavrov said the US and Russia had made 'considerable' progress in negotiations over their own nuclear weapons.

Many open questions had been clarified, the foreign minister said, adding that the first concrete draft had been assembled for a follow- up treaty to replace the US-Russian Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) that expires in December.

Clinton said the United States was very interested in working with Russia. The American secretary of state is due to hold further talks Tuesday with Russia President Medvedev.