Russian FM Lavrov warns against strike on Iran
YEREVAN - The Associated Press
This Aug. 13, 2004 file satellite image provided by DigitalGlobe and the Institute for Science and International Security shows the military complex at Parchin, Iran, 30 km (about 19 miles) southeast of Tehran. AP photo
Russia's foreign minister has strongly warned against a military attack on Iran, saying that a pre-emptive strike would violate international law.Sergey Lavrov said Monday on a visit to Armenia that an attack on Iran would destabilize the region.
Israel and the U.S. have warned that all options remain open, including military action, to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Iran insists its uranium enrichment program is aimed at civilian power generation and research, but Israel and Western nations believe it is a cover for a nuclear weapons bid.
Russia, which built Iran's first nuclear power plant, backed some of the previous U.N. sanctions against Tehran, but in recent months has firmly rejected imposing new sanctions and called for dialogue.
