Speaking to an audience of Pittsburgh University in Pennsylvania, the President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev did not rule out the possibility of imposing sanctions on Iran if no other diplomatic strategy proves to bring the desired results. The President emphasized that the problems of Iran’s nuclear program need to be first addressed with diplomatic tools. Should these alternative remedies be exhausted, Russia will be prepared to support sanctions against Iran. 

President Medvedev noted that this kind of attitude is not at all unusual in international relations, refusing to comment on the general effectiveness of sanctions. “Sometimes, sanctions need to be imposed,” summarized the Russian head of state.

In regards to Iran in particular, Mr. Medvedev said that throughout the country’s recent history, various economic and political sanctions have been applied against it quite a number of times. The success or failure of these measures can be judged according to the situation that is currently developing in Iran.

President Medvedev also reiterated his conviction that Russia and the United States have a duty to create incentives for the Middle Eastern power to pursue peaceful research in nuclear science and to give up programs aimed at militarizing atomic material.

The Russian President believes that the direction of change of the Iranian position on the issue should be taken into account. Still, Mr. Medvedev thinks that the world community needs to act promptly.

Russia’s stance on the question is that Iran, just like all other states, has the right to develop a program for the civilian use of atomic energy. On the other hand, Russia is fundamentally opposed to Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons technology.