Russia made clear Saturday that it opposes a Western push for new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. Russia spoke out against a fourth round of UN sanctions against Teheran at a meeting of the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany in Washington on Friday, the Foreign Ministry said. Russia stressed the need to draw Teheran into "constructive dialogue," the ministry statement said. "In this context we spoke out against the development at this time of new measures along UN. Security Council lines." Russia agreed to three previous rounds of UN sanctions, but along with China has slowed down their passage and ensured they were less punitive than measures the US was seeking.