Russia Says Iran Not In Breach Of Nuclear Treaty

25 August 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Russia says it sees no evidence that Iran is violating the global nuclear nonproliferation regime.
Iran angered the European Union and the United States by resuming uranium-conversion work earlier this month. It rejected EU incentives offered in return for giving up its nuclear program.

Today, Russian media quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying that "there is no reason to think" that Tehran has acted illegally concerning the Non-Proliferation Treaty, or NPT.

Under the treaty, which Iran has signed, Tehran may process and enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.

Iran says its nuclear program is aimed only at the peaceful generation of electricity. The West fears Iran is seeking to make atomic weapons.

Russia is building a nuclear-power station for Iran.

(Reuters)



For RFE/RL's complete coverage of the controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear program, see "Iran's Nuclear Program."