Russia, China against Iran Sanctions

Source: Alalam.ir, 12-9-2008
NEW YORK--Russia and China have voiced opposition to UN Security Council sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, reports say.
United States ambassador to the United Nations, Zalmay Khalilzad, urged members of the Council on Thursday to approve financial sanctions against Iran.
Russia responded that it could decide for itself how to be vigilant about Iranian financial transactions.
Khalilzad expressed regret that Russia's conflict with Georgia, which mounted tensions between Washington and Moscow, seemed to be spilling into other issues.
The exchange came a day after the United States imposed sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, the main national carrier, accusing it of aiding Iran's nuclear and missile programs.
Iran called the move counterproductive and damaging to America's reputation in the region.
The UN Security Council has already imposed three rats of sanctions on Iran over Tehran's refusal to suspend its nuclear program.
Iran argues it is entitled to the nuclear activity as a signatory to nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Western demand is baseless.