Russia accuses Western sanctions over Iran's nuclear program

Western sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program were hindering talks between Teheran and world mediators, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Friday. At a press conference following a meeting with a group of diplomats, Ryabkov said a number of Western countries didn't hear Moscow's objections to their sanctions against Iran. "Unfortunately, they don't hear us or even don't want to hear. But we would like to negotiate," he said. Ryabkov said Moscow hopes that solutions could be found with no military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. Russia proposed to hold a meeting in October between Iran and the five world powers of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States, Ryabkov said, adding that such talks should be held at the level of political directors.