China, Russia to press Iran on nuclear issue
Vienna, June 4, 2013
China and Russia are set to join four Western powers in voicing deep concern about Iran's atomic activities this week and pressing it to cooperate with a stalled inquiry by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, diplomats said on Tuesday.
A draft statement by the six world powers, expected to be delivered at a meeting this week of the 35-nation board of the International Atomic Energy Agency, says it is "essential and urgent" for Iran to engage with the IAEA, they said.
The statement - which diplomats said had yet to be formally approved by all the six capitals - appeared intended to signal continued big power unity in a decade-old dispute over Iran's nuclear programme.
The West suspects Iran is seeking the capability to make nuclear weapons. Iran denies this. – Reuters