Russia’s Lavrov Urges 'Political Will' to Solve Iran Nuclear Row

Russia’s foreign minister has called on world powers and Iran to show “political will” in finding a solution to the international standoff over Tehran’s nuclear program. At talks in Geneva between Iran and six major world powers, Sergei Lavrov urged the sides to "show the maximum political will in an effort to find the necessary solutions,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Sunday. Intense talks to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions ended without an agreement on Saturday. The sides focused on confidence-building measures and ways to allay concerns of the international community over the country's nuclear program, the ministry said. Western countries suspect Iran of using its nuclear program to develop atomic weapons, a claim that Iran has consistently denied. Tehran claims it needs atomic technology for producing electricity, although it has some of the world’s largest reserves of oil and gas. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani was quoted by ISNA news agency as saying Sunday that its right to uranium enrichment is a “red line” that cannot be crossed. The talks between Iran and the six powers – the US, Britain, Russia, China, France and Germany – will resume on November 20.