Russia denies conspiring against Iran’s nuclear program

Moscow has brushed off Iran’s accusations that it is conspiring against the country's nuclear program. Earlier, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned Russia against supporting new UN sanctions against Iran.

Ahmadinejad has stated that Moscow should refrain from siding with Tehran's enemies to avoid being seen as one of them.

Responding to Ahmadinejad’s call, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov maintained that Russia was to follow its own course on the international arena.

“Unfortunately, considering all the efforts we have made over the last few years, Iran's reply was unsatisfactory,” Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. “Russia is not following anyone's orders…Every decision we make on foreign policy is based on our responsibility as a key player on the international scene, where many difficult issues are being resolved. The situation around Iran is one of them.”

Last week, Russia, along with other four permanent members of the UN Security Council, reviewed the draft resolution on new sanctions against Iran, which was put forward by the US a day after Iran agreed on a nuclear fuel swap deal with Turkey and Brazil.