Response to a Media Question by Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov on the Iranian Nuclear Program during the Press Conference After the Meeting of the Middle East Quartet, New York, September 26, 2008

Question: At the start of the week you said now is not the time for one more resolution on sanctions against Iran. How do matters stand with the resolution that you suggest and which you think will facilitate the process of suspending Iran's nuclear activities?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: We have indeed considered and continue to consider it inopportune to examine at the level of ministers or at any other level proposals on new sanctions against Iran now. This position has by no means changed. We are convinced that on the basis of the assessments that are contained in the latest report of the IAEA Director General, Mr. Mohamed ElBaradei, it is possible and necessary to continue efforts to create conditions for the start of negotiations on the basis of the proposals which our group "3+3" or "5+1" – it is being differently called – has presented for consideration by the Iranian side. As to the resolution that was today submitted on behalf of the Six to the Security Council, it pursues the chief aim: to clearly reaffirm so that nobody has any doubts that the Six remain united around the most important aim that brought us together. This aim consists of helping the IAEA make certain that there are no military aspects in the nuclear program of Iran. This aim remains invariable, despite the actual differences of opinion as to the way in which to move towards it, which manifest themselves at times. The Six are committed to this task. By reaffirming the existing Security Council resolutions and calling on Iran to comply with them fully, I think we would send to all an important signal so there are no attempts to question the major task associated with reinforcing the regime of nonproliferation.