Russia, and China maintained their opposition to sanctions against Iran, and reaffirmed its insistence on more diplomacy. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov however said all participants quote "agreed we must demand urgent, constructive measure from Iran."

A UN Security Council nonbinding statement has given Iran until April 28 to halt uranium enrichment, though allowed under the NPT.

An influential Russian newspaper said that the talks in Moscow have underlined a growing split on the issue between Russia and the West. The paper said that the continued unwillingness of Moscow to give its support on what Washington considers an important foreign policy question threatens a serious deterioration in Russian-American relations. The paper continued that the United States is simply obliged to finish the business it has begun, the reconstruction of the larger Middle East.

Earlier, US President George W. Bush refused to rule out a military strike to halt Iran's peaceful nuclear program, saying, "All options are on the table. We want to solve this issue diplomatically and we're working hard to do so. The best way to do so is there for to be a united effort with countries that recognize the danger of Iran having a nuclear weapon." He added that he will raise the issue with China's President Hu Jintao, whose country opposes the use of sanctions against Iran.

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmedinajad had warned that any aggressor would regret attacking the Islamic Republic, saying the nuclear program is a peaceful one. Gholamreza Ansari, Iran's ambassador to Russia said "We believe that the world community won't allow anyone to attack Iran. But, naturally, one of the ways of averting the war is to get ready for it."

Saudi Arabia said it was not in its interest to be at loggerheads with Iran over Tehran's nuclear program and denied that Riyadh itself was seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abed Al-Aziz said he hoped Iran would be reasonable and steer the country away from trouble, he added quote it is not in our interest to be put now in a position against Iran while Israel possesses nuclear weapons.

For his part, French President Jacques Chirac said that it was "unacceptable" for Iran to have nuclear weapons, but he left the door open to resumed discussions with Tehran.

Source: Al Manar