Russia's Iran Dilemma

Author(s): Carol Saivetz
Editor(s): Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perovic, Heiko Pleines, Hans-Henning Schröder
Series: Russian Analytical Digest (RAD)
Issue: 6
Pages: 9-11
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen
Publication Year: 2006

On August 22, Teheran responded to the European-US offer of economic incentives in return for cessation of uranium enrichment by proposing serious talks, but refusing to end enrichment research. Thus, the August 31 deadline set by United Nations Security Council resolution 1696 for Iran to suspend enrichment or face further UN action passed. Now, the permanent members of the Security Council, plus Germany, will have to decide whether or not to impose either so-called soft or hard sanctions on Iran. Until late 2005, Russia hoped to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, while at the same time protecting the contract for the Bushehr nuclear reactor by blocking the imposition of sanctions. But, as international concerns about Iran's nuclear program increased, Russian objectives widened to include deterring a US-led war against Iran. Going forward, Iran's defiance of the Security Council will make it increasingly difficult for Moscow to maintain these contradictory policies.

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