Russia, West Concerned By Iran's Nuclear Resumption

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said today that Russia would make an effort to ensure that negotiations on nuclear issues continue and urged Iran to maintain a moratorium on its nuclear activities.

Iranian officials said on 10 January that the country had removed international seals on some nuclear facilities. They stressed, however, that the production of nuclear fuel would remain suspended.

Western Reproaches

The announcement has brought condemnation from the United States, the EU, and leading European countries.

Today's announcement by Iran of its nuclear resumption has brought condemnation from the Washington and the European Union.

The U.S. ambassador to the IAEA, Gregory Schulte, told journalists that Iran continues to choose confrontation over cooperation.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said there is no reason for Iran to resume nuclear research if its nuclear intentions were "truly peaceful."

Cristina Gallach, a spokeswoman for EU policy chief Javier Solana, called it "very much a step in the wrong direction."

Officials in the United States and the United Kingdom suspect Iran is seeking to make a nuclear weapon, and the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has criticized Iran's failure to fulfill its disclosure obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Iran says it is pursuing a peaceful nuclear program.

(Agencies)