The UN nuclear watchdog says it cannot confirm whether Iran's nuclear program is peaceful or not, as Tehran refuses to co-operate. Russia is toughening its stance and Iran is likely so face stern measures now.
But there’s still a difference between the Western and Russian approaches towards the issue, says Aleksey Fenenko from the World Security Research Institute.
“Washington and London proposed an idea of permanent sanctions against Iran,” Fenenko said. “Russia proposed reversible sanctions and China supported Russia here.”
The sanctions proposed by Russia can be lifted as soon as Iran gives up its uranium enrichment program, Fenenko explained.