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| Russia warns sanctions can derail talks with Iran |
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 MOSCOW — The Russian foreign minister warned on Wednesday that new penalties against Iran could derail hopes for continuing negotiations between Tehran and the six major powers (the U.S., France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China), provoking Iranian intransigence."We believe that there is every chance to resume talks between the six powers and Iran, and we are concerned about obstacles being put to them," Sergei Lavrov told a news conference. "The sanctions could hardly help make the talks productive." He noted that the European Union's consideration of oil sanctions comes as Iran plans to host a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran and the six major powers, represented by EU foreign policy chief Catherin Ashton, have also agreed to resume talks in Istanbul, Turkey. Ali Bagheri, the deputy chairman of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, also headed to Moscow for talks with Lavrov and other Russian officials on Wednesday. Lavrov also warned that a military attack on Iran would trigger a "chain reaction" that destabilizes the world, AP reported. The senior Russian diplomat also said new sanctions against Tehran would "stifle" the Iranian economy and hurt its people. He said Russia is "seriously worried" about the prospect of a military action against Iran and is doing all it can to prevent it. "The consequences will be extremely grave," he warned. "It's not going to be an easy walk. It will trigger a chain reaction and I don't know where it will stop." Lavrov said Russia believes "all conceivable sanctions already have been applied" against Tehran and warned that sanctions on the Islamic Republic’s oil exports now being considered by the EU could stymie efforts to solve the Iranian nuclear standoff through talks. "It has nothing to do with a desire to strengthen the nuclear nonproliferation," Lavrov noted. "It's aimed at stifling the Iranian economy and the population in an apparent hope to provoke discontent."   Socialize this Subscribe to our RSS feed to stay in touch and receive all of TT updates right in your feed reader
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