ir Putin warned Sept. 11 that an attack on Iran would be "unacceptable" but also urged Tehran to show restraint in its controversial nuclear program.
(Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin seen at a meeting with foreign experts on Russia in the Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow, Friday, Sept. 11, 2009. Putin warned against the use of force or new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program Friday.)
"This would be very dangerous, unacceptable, this would lead to an explosion of terrorism, increase the influence of extremists," Putin said when asked about the possibility of an attack.
"I doubt very much that such strikes would achieve their stated goal," he added, speaking at a meeting with foreign Russia experts at his residence outside Moscow.
At the same time Putin called for Iran to move carefully with its nuclear program, which has raised tensions in the Middle East with fears that the Islamic Republic may be seeking an atomic bomb.
"The Iranians should show restraint in their nuclear program," Putin said.
"We have told Iran that it has the right to a civilian nuclear program but that it should understand what region of the world it is in," he added.
"This is a dangerous region and Iran should show responsibility, especially by taking into account Israel's concerns, all the more so after the absolutely unacceptable statements about the destruction of the state of Israel."
Iran's hardline President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly said that the Jewish state is doomed to be "wiped off the map."
Russia has long opposed tougher penalties against Tehran over its nuclear program and called for continued talks, while the United States and Israel have never ruled out air strikes to stop Iran from acquiring an atomic bomb.
The U.S., the European Union and Israel fear that Tehran is hiding development of nuclear weapons behind its civilian nuclear program, but Iran denies this and insists the program is aimed strictly at producing energy.
Moscow's ties with Tehran came under intense scrutiny this week with reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quietly visited Russia on Sept. 7 in a bid to convince Moscow to stop selling arms to Iran and Syria.
Netanyahu's office said the Israeli premier was engaged in a "confidential and classified activity" but did not explicitly deny media reports that Netanyahu had flown to Russia aboard a private plane.
Asked whether he had met Netanyahu, Putin sidestepped the question Sept. 11.
"We only talk about facts," Putin said, laughing. Earlier this week a Putin spokesman denied that the Russian premier had met Netanyahu.
Israel has been seeking to convince Russia not to sell S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Iran, amid persistent media reports that such a deal is in the works.
The sophisticated Russian-made missiles would greatly enhance Iran's ability to defend against an air strike.
Last week, some media reports said the Arctic Sea, a cargo ship allegedly hijacked by pirates under murky circumstances in July and later recaptured by Russian warships, may have been carrying S-300s to Iran.
Russia vehemently denied the reports and said a search of the ship after its recovery turned up nothing suspicious.
Besides the reported S-300 deal, Russia has also drawn scrutiny for its role in helping Iran build its first civilian nuclear power plant, at the southern Iranian city of Bushehr.
Russia is one of six world powers negotiating with Tehran over its nuclear program, along with the United States, Britain, China, France and Germany.
An EU official said Friday that the six powers would seek an urgent meeting with Iran over its latest nuclear proposals, which they deemed inadequate.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
DTN News: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Calls An Attack On Iran 'Unacceptable'
DTN News: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Calls An Attack On Iran 'Unacceptable'
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) NOVO OGAREVO, Russia - September 13, 2009: Russian Prime Minister Vladim
ir Putin warned Sept. 11 that an attack on Iran would be "unacceptable" but also urged Tehran to show restraint in its controversial nuclear program.
(Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin seen at a meeting with foreign experts on Russia in the Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow, Friday, Sept. 11, 2009. Putin warned against the use of force or new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program Friday.)
"This would be very dangerous, unacceptable, this would lead to an explosion of terrorism, increase the influence of extremists," Putin said when asked about the possibility of an attack.
"I doubt very much that such strikes would achieve their stated goal," he added, speaking at a meeting with foreign Russia experts at his residence outside Moscow.
At the same time Putin called for Iran to move carefully with its nuclear program, which has raised tensions in the Middle East with fears that the Islamic Republic may be seeking an atomic bomb.
"The Iranians should show restraint in their nuclear program," Putin said.
"We have told Iran that it has the right to a civilian nuclear program but that it should understand what region of the world it is in," he added.
"This is a dangerous region and Iran should show responsibility, especially by taking into account Israel's concerns, all the more so after the absolutely unacceptable statements about the destruction of the state of Israel."
Iran's hardline President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly said that the Jewish state is doomed to be "wiped off the map."
Russia has long opposed tougher penalties against Tehran over its nuclear program and called for continued talks, while the United States and Israel have never ruled out air strikes to stop Iran from acquiring an atomic bomb.
The U.S., the European Union and Israel fear that Tehran is hiding development of nuclear weapons behind its civilian nuclear program, but Iran denies this and insists the program is aimed strictly at producing energy.
Moscow's ties with Tehran came under intense scrutiny this week with reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quietly visited Russia on Sept. 7 in a bid to convince Moscow to stop selling arms to Iran and Syria.
Netanyahu's office said the Israeli premier was engaged in a "confidential and classified activity" but did not explicitly deny media reports that Netanyahu had flown to Russia aboard a private plane.
Asked whether he had met Netanyahu, Putin sidestepped the question Sept. 11.
"We only talk about facts," Putin said, laughing. Earlier this week a Putin spokesman denied that the Russian premier had met Netanyahu.
Israel has been seeking to convince Russia not to sell S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Iran, amid persistent media reports that such a deal is in the works.
The sophisticated Russian-made missiles would greatly enhance Iran's ability to defend against an air strike.
Last week, some media reports said the Arctic Sea, a cargo ship allegedly hijacked by pirates under murky circumstances in July and later recaptured by Russian warships, may have been carrying S-300s to Iran.
Russia vehemently denied the reports and said a search of the ship after its recovery turned up nothing suspicious.
Besides the reported S-300 deal, Russia has also drawn scrutiny for its role in helping Iran build its first civilian nuclear power plant, at the southern Iranian city of Bushehr.
Russia is one of six world powers negotiating with Tehran over its nuclear program, along with the United States, Britain, China, France and Germany.
An EU official said Friday that the six powers would seek an urgent meeting with Iran over its latest nuclear proposals, which they deemed inadequate.
ir Putin warned Sept. 11 that an attack on Iran would be "unacceptable" but also urged Tehran to show restraint in its controversial nuclear program.
(Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin seen at a meeting with foreign experts on Russia in the Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow, Friday, Sept. 11, 2009. Putin warned against the use of force or new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program Friday.)
"This would be very dangerous, unacceptable, this would lead to an explosion of terrorism, increase the influence of extremists," Putin said when asked about the possibility of an attack.
"I doubt very much that such strikes would achieve their stated goal," he added, speaking at a meeting with foreign Russia experts at his residence outside Moscow.
At the same time Putin called for Iran to move carefully with its nuclear program, which has raised tensions in the Middle East with fears that the Islamic Republic may be seeking an atomic bomb.
"The Iranians should show restraint in their nuclear program," Putin said.
"We have told Iran that it has the right to a civilian nuclear program but that it should understand what region of the world it is in," he added.
"This is a dangerous region and Iran should show responsibility, especially by taking into account Israel's concerns, all the more so after the absolutely unacceptable statements about the destruction of the state of Israel."
Iran's hardline President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly said that the Jewish state is doomed to be "wiped off the map."
Russia has long opposed tougher penalties against Tehran over its nuclear program and called for continued talks, while the United States and Israel have never ruled out air strikes to stop Iran from acquiring an atomic bomb.
The U.S., the European Union and Israel fear that Tehran is hiding development of nuclear weapons behind its civilian nuclear program, but Iran denies this and insists the program is aimed strictly at producing energy.
Moscow's ties with Tehran came under intense scrutiny this week with reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quietly visited Russia on Sept. 7 in a bid to convince Moscow to stop selling arms to Iran and Syria.
Netanyahu's office said the Israeli premier was engaged in a "confidential and classified activity" but did not explicitly deny media reports that Netanyahu had flown to Russia aboard a private plane.
Asked whether he had met Netanyahu, Putin sidestepped the question Sept. 11.
"We only talk about facts," Putin said, laughing. Earlier this week a Putin spokesman denied that the Russian premier had met Netanyahu.
Israel has been seeking to convince Russia not to sell S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Iran, amid persistent media reports that such a deal is in the works.
The sophisticated Russian-made missiles would greatly enhance Iran's ability to defend against an air strike.
Last week, some media reports said the Arctic Sea, a cargo ship allegedly hijacked by pirates under murky circumstances in July and later recaptured by Russian warships, may have been carrying S-300s to Iran.
Russia vehemently denied the reports and said a search of the ship after its recovery turned up nothing suspicious.
Besides the reported S-300 deal, Russia has also drawn scrutiny for its role in helping Iran build its first civilian nuclear power plant, at the southern Iranian city of Bushehr.
Russia is one of six world powers negotiating with Tehran over its nuclear program, along with the United States, Britain, China, France and Germany.
An EU official said Friday that the six powers would seek an urgent meeting with Iran over its latest nuclear proposals, which they deemed inadequate.
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