In other words, Russia is hoping for a glimmering shred of evidence that Iran isn't going for a nuclear weapon and they want the IAEA to find that shred.
The problem is that it isn't going to happen.
Russia is desperate to keep it's economic ties intact with Iran and if there's overwhelming evidence that they are trying for a nuclear weapon, they will be backed into a corner on voting for additional sanctions. Iran is a major customer of Russian weapons as well, and they certainly don't want to jeopardize their chances to get back onto the world stage and become a superpower again.
Iranian sanctions will put that hope into the gutter pretty deeply if they do happen.
"That cannot be used as a shield to protect Iran from its lack of implementation of the demands of the Security Council in regard to the enrichment of uranium that Iran has been asked to suspend twice," he told reporters.
Exactly. They have been told twice now to stop enrichment and they have not only not stopped, but they've accelerated it. Not exactly the kind of behavior you'd want from an ally is it?
Asked about U.S. and French calls for sanctions outside the Security Council, Miliband said: "It's already the case that European Union countries have taken greater action than was required by the Security Council. That is healthy and good."
He said companies and banks were making their own decisions about investment based on the political risk.
"The figures on the fall in European investment in Iran in the first 6 months of this year are spectacular," he said, citing a 40 percent decrease. "There is evidence of sanctions having an effect."
There isn't a country on the planet that can deal with a 40% decrease in financial deals with a continent, let alone Iran. Take a look around, Iran is going to have a tough time weaseling it's way out of this.
Travis
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