Russia against extra sanctions on Iran because of missile tests

MOSCOW, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Iran's recent missile tests should not be used as a reason for imposing further sanctions, said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov Tuesday.

"Given the heated political debates over the Iranian nuclear program, this test itself naturally gives more arguments to those who are proposing that extra sanctions be considered," the Interfax news agency quoted the diplomat as saying.

However, "when and whether sanctions against Iran will become inevitable is a completely separate issue, one that we are yet to address," he said.

Ryabkov also reiterated that "the substance of the Russian position is that...we should pool our resources together and do everything possible in the interests of a diplomatic, political solution to the Iranian nuclear problem."

Following a series of short-range missile tests, Iran on Monday test-fired the long-range Shahab-3 missile and the surface-to-surface Sajil missile, both reportedly are capable of hitting objectives in Israel, most Arab countries and southern Europe.

Ryabkov said that Tehran's proposals to six major powers has opened vast field for dialogue.

"Iran's proposals are quite broad. They embrace a whole host of issues pertaining to international security, but not only them," he said, adding that "there is a broad field for dialogue here."

The United Nations Security Council has so far levied three sets of sanctions on Iran. Officials from six world powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States -- are scheduled to discuss with Iran on Thursday in Geneva its latest package of proposals on global issues handed over on Sept. 9.

The United States and other Western powers are skeptical about Iran's weaponry program, especially those of missiles which could possibly use nuclear materials. But Tehran contends that its military and nuclear program were of defensive and peaceful component.