Russia: Too early to talk of sanctions on Iran

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Russian Vice-Premier Sergei Ivanov said Friday that Russia will continue to pursue a political resolution of the dispute over Iran's nuclear program and that it is too early to consider imposing sanctions, news agencies reported. "Talk about sanctions is premature and inexpedient, to say the least," Ivanov said in the Far Eastern city of Magadan, according to the news agency ITAR-Tass. "In any case, Russia will keep pressing for a political and diplomatic settlement coupled with full and strict observance of all non-proliferation regimes." The comments followed this week's submission by Iran of a written response to a package of incentives offered by the United States and five other world powers, including Russia, if Iran rolls back on its nuclear program.