MOSCOW, March 20 (UPI) -- Russia has ratcheted up pressure on Iran to stop enriching uranium with a caution that Moscow will withhold nuclear fuel for a new Iranian power plant.
The ultimatum was made last week in Moscow by senior nuclear officials from both countries, the New York Times reported Tuesday.
The additional pressure on Iran comes as the U.N. Security Council is set to vote within a week on sanctions against Tehran for its refusal to stop uranium enrichment at its Natanz facility.
Russia, however, has resisted a U.S.-led campaign for harsh economic sanctions, calling instead for more diplomacy as it nears completion of building a large nuclear facility in Bushehr, Iran, the report said.
Diplomatic sources told the Times part of Russia's new stance could be claims Iran has fallen behind in two $25 million monthly payments to Russia for its role in building Bushehr. Iran says it has the money, but wants to pay in euros rather than dollars, the Times said.
"We're not sure what mix of commercial and political motives are at play here," a senior Bush administration official said in Washington. "But clearly the Russians and the Iranians are getting on each other's nerves -- and that's not all bad."
