Russia 'Seriously' Concerned, But China?

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev demanded that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "immediately investigate" the announcement by Iran that .

He also urged Iran to "fully cooperate with the IAEA in such an investigation."

"The situation calls for special attention today. Information indicating that Iran has been building an enrichment plant for several years without the knowledge of the IAEA is a source of serious concern," President Medvedev said in a statement circulated at the G-20 Summit meeting in Pittsburgh on Friday.

Medvedev also said that he expects Iran to demonstrate at their meeting next week with the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council that it is prepared to fully cooperate with the IAEA.

Medvedev also said Russia would assist the IAEA in its investigation.

"In meeting commitments that Russia has undertaken as a member of the IAEA, we will use any means accessible to us to facilitate such an inspection," he said.

Although a part of the "Group of Six" nations dealing with Iran on the issue of its nuclear program, Russia and China have been more reluctant to take a firm line with Tehran.

On Thursday China rejected the idea that more sanctions would pressure Iran to give up its nuclear program.

Instead, greater diplomatic efforts are called for, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told reporters at a regularly scheduled news conference, reiterating a long-held stance.

China and Russia both wield veto power on the United Nations Security Council, and any shift in their positions would clear a major hurdle to tougher sanctions against Iran. The other three permanent members - Britain, France and the U.S. - tend to favor stiffer measures against Iran.

A senior administration official told the Associated Press that President Obama told Medvedev about the Iranian facility during their meeting earlier this week in New York.

During Medvedev's talks with President Obama, he opened the door to backing potential new sanctions against Iran, speaking just days after Mr. Obama's decision to scale back a U.S. missile shield in Eastern Europe that Russia strongly opposed. He followed with stronger statements Thursday, saying Russia would support international sanctions if other efforts failed. He said the U.S. and Russia must push Iran to make its nuclear program open and transparent.

On Friday in Pittsburgh, the Russian leader said the facility is "a source of serious concerns." He called on Tehran to act quickly to win the trust of the international community and "demonstrate readiness for full-scale cooperation," according to a statement quoted by the Russian news agency ITAR-Tass.

Medvedev's tougher talk on sanctions against Iran may bring a shift in China's position, since Beijing usually follows Moscow's approach on such matters.

But a public shift in Beijing's position may take time. The Chinese are "just absorbing these revelations," the senior administration official told the AP.

Today in Pittsburgh, a senior Chinese official batted down the idea of punishing Tehran. "I think that all the issues can only be solved through dialogue and negotiation," Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei said.

U.S. intelligence believes the facility is on a military base controlled by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, according to a document that the Obama administration sent to U.S. lawmakers. It was provided to The Association Press by an official on condition of anonymity because, though unclassified, it was deemed confidential. The military connection could undermine Iran's contention that the plant was designed for civilian purposes.

"The size and configuration of this facility is inconsistent with a peaceful program," Mr. Obama told reporters.

The U.S., British and French officials provided detailed information to the IAEA on Thursday, Obama said.

An August IAEA report said Iran had set up more than 8,000 centrifuges to produce enriched uranium at the first facility, also underground and located outside the southern city of Natanz. The report said that only about 4,600 centrifuges were fully active.