Russia calls for diplomacy to solve Iranian nuclear problem

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday called for political and diplomatic means to solve the Iranian nuclear problem, Russian news agencies reported.

Lavrov also said Moscow favors the approach of three European Union countries in handling the crisis around Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program.

France, Britain and Germany are working on a proposal containing incentives and sanctions to encourage Iran to suspend uranium enrichment. The package may include a light-water reactor, which is considered less likely to be misused for nuclear proliferation than a heavy-water facility, which produces plutonium waste.

"We hope that Tehran accept the negotiations proposals, which Russia also supports," Lavrov was quoted as saying in Kuwait by the Interfax news agency.

Last week Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad mocked the offer, saying it was like giving up gold for chocolate. The rejection appeared certain to complicate efforts to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions, reports the AP.

I.L.

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