Russia warns against more Iran sanctions

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov chairs the 25th Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation's member countries (BSEC) in Moscow, Dec. 16, 2011. / Getty

MOSCOW - Russia's foreign minister on Wednesday warned the West against imposing economic sanctions against Iran, saying they would "stifle" the Iranian economy and hurt the population.

Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday that the sanctions on oil exports considered by the European Union could stymie efforts to solve the Iranian nuclear standoff through talks.

"It has nothing to do with a desire to strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation," he said at a news conference. "It's aimed at stifling the Iranian economy and the population in an apparent hope to provoke discontent."

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The EU is weighing whether to impose sanctions on buying Iranian oil, which is the source of more than 80 percent of Tehran's foreign revenue.

The U.S. has already imposed new sanctions targeting Iran's central bank and, by extension, refiners' ability to buy and pay for crude.

The sanctions are linked to Iran's disputed uranium enrichment program, which the U.S. and its Western allies suspect is aimed at developing nuclear weapons. Iran denies the charges, saying its program is aimed at civilian power generation and research.

Moscow, which built Iran's first nuclear power plant, backed some of the previous U.N. sanctions against Iran, but in recent months has firmly rejected imposing any new sanctions and called for dialogue.

[BIGFLASH]

Very profound statement. But it's not going to hurt the population of Iran - how? It's going to hurt the pocket of the guys controlling the oil. We aren't making a blockade, they are, to prevent US from getting other oil. JUST ONE PERSON say that Iran is not trying to build a nuclear weapon. The Religious fanatics in Iran have one goal in mind -- get a nuke and bomb Israel - there is no other reason to have a nuke - none.

[sweetcakesmaria]

Since a lot of people on this board seems to favor pushing Iran into a war that neither us or them need, will all of you warmongers be willing to send your sons/daughters to the front lines first to fight this war that you seem to favor?

[Anotheryahoo]

The sad truth about sanctions is they allways hurt the people, and never hurt the crooks in power. Just look at all the examples in recent history from North Korea to Iraq or Syria.

[Samlv]

The US is not responsible for saving people from themselves, nor from their own government. We should be crystal clear about who our enemies are, why, and treat them that way. And changing treatment of them should be very, very slow. No listening to insane Mullahs in Iran, no food for NK........

If we really meant, for example, that Venezuela was an enemy, we should have taken Citgo's assets and held them in trust for US companies to claim against in return for Venezuela stealing our company's assets. But, we don't, so enemies just think we're soft.

Police states do not respond to anything but a show of strength. That means actions which are clear and consistent. It also means doing things to them which they would respect.

By way of example, Iran's little boats running out our fleet would disappear without a trace, and without any evidence, and without any comment from the USA.

[karek40]

Isn't stifling the economy and hurting the population the goal of sanctions so the population will take a position in opposition to their government?

[Forty-Four]

...This coming from the former Soviet Union

[Danize]

So what's your point?

[donottrustdems]

Ooh, Russia has warned us. Now I'm really worried.

[berlinfoto-2009]

""""Come on America...Gear up, Man up.....
It is time to declare war on the Planet. """"

""""I agree...
..
"they have millions of our jobs "
...
just like the Saudi's have " our oil "
or maybe like the Brazilians have " our orange juice "
what is for sure the Japanese have " our cars "
...
no doubt about it, all the resources of
the Planet belong to America and we
need to declare War and get them back !"""""

Here is the plan guys, we collapse our own economy, by exporting as many jobs as possible, get our nation involved in numerous wars, destroy the value of the dollar. Make every one poor except the extreme rich.
Then the poor have one choice join the army and fight a war against the world, or starve.
The Weimar Republic, is truly the model that is being followed.

[zoopster1]

Ah. Naturally Russia throws their lot in with Iran, after decades of not giving a damn about them. Why am I not surprised?

[catwoman1952]

Russia, hahahahaha, now that's a laugh....they can tell us what to do??? Wait till Iran has nukes, then let them send them to Russia

[Lifesablast]

Where Is The Draft, Conscription ?
.
Every 18 year old American (?) male has to sign up
for it...Why dont we use it ?
.
Come on America...If we are declaring war on
the Planet we are going to need the sons and
the daughters of the rich....as well as the sons
and daughters of the poor.
.
Isnt it time that a Bush, or a Romney or a Perry
or a Cheney or a Gingrich comes home in a box ?
.
Where's the draft ?
Where's the war ?
If you are American, the war is everybody who
isnt just like you...excluding the Israelis, of course.