Russia willing to back "smart" sanctions on Iran

Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, is in Paris to begin a three-day visit to consolidate French-Russian relations in economic, political, and cultural spheres. Medvedev said his country is willing to back "smart" sanctions against Iran that did not harm the civilian population.

The Russian leader held talks with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace.

Speaking at a joint news conference, Medvedev said he hoped that negotiations with Iran would lead to an agreement without sanctions.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said, "We are not losing the feeling that we can achieve success. If we don't get there, Russia is ready to consider the introduction of sanctions. These sanctions must be carefully weighed and must be smart. They must not be directed against the civilian population. Sanctions must be at the limit of where dialogue is no longer possible. This is why we're discussing various initiatives and we are ready to continue the discussion of this question with our partners."

The Russian President said that if sanctions were to be applied, they could not be punitive to the point of preventing further dialogue with the Iranian regime.

Reacting to calls for fresh sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, Iran's Ambassador to the IAEA stated his view in Vienna on Monday.

Iran's Ambassador to the IAEA Ali Asghar Soltanieh said, "Any sanction resolution is counter productive, complicates the situation. We advise them that that they should have learned the lesson not to do so. It is better to stop everything -- engagement in the United Nations Security Council -- This nuclear issue belongs to the IAEA and this only, any activity in New York only complicates the situation and damages the co-operative environment in Vienna."

Iran sent a letter to the IAEA on February the 18th.

In the letter, Iran said it would prefer simply to buy the fuel, but would accept a simultaneous exchange on its territory.

Iran started enriching uranium to near 20 percent about three weeks ago, from the previous 3.5 percent level.

The move increased international concern because that level of enrichment moves Iran closer to creating weapons-grade material that could be used to arm missiles.