Russian envoy to visit Iran;incentives for Iran in nuclear standoff on agenda

Photo: Russian envoy to visit Iran;incentives for Iran in nuclear standoff on agenda

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak will accompany a delegation led by the chief of Russia's Security Council, Igor Ivanov, ITAR-Tass quoted a Russian diplomat as saying. They will holds talks with officials including Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani.

The Russian officials' visit to Iran comes ahead of a meeting between the foreign ministers from six world powers planned for late next week to decide on the incentives for Iran and sanctions if it doesn't give up its uranium activities, the AP reports.

The five Security Council members - the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France - plus Germany apparently narrowed their differences on a package of rewards or punishments for Iran during high-level London talks Wednesday.

Russia and China have opposed calls by the United States,Britain and France for a resolution that would threaten sanctions and be enforceable by military action.

But a compromise is emerging that would rule out military action and calls for new consultations among the five permanent Security Council members on any further steps against Iran, diplomats said.