Iran criticizes U.N. Security Council over push for sanctions

"It is most embarrassing that the U.N Security Council, which should be the defender of nations' security and rights, threatens countries pursuing nuclear fuel under the law to provide fuel for peaceful purposes," Ahmadinejad said, addressing the seventh conference of the general assembly of Asian Parliaments Association for Peace in Tehran, the Iranian capital.

He criticized the U.N. for applying a double standard, saying that it was pursuing Iran, "while those countries, armed with nuclear weapons, deny the rights of other countries to produce nuclear fuel and exploit it for peaceful purposes."

Ahmadinejad made the comments following the meeting Saturday in Moscow between Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia is urging the resumption of international talks on Iran's nuclear program. Although Moscow, along with China, have agreed in principle on sanctions, both have publicly pushed for dialogue instead of punitive measures.

Both countries have major commercial ties with Iran, and can veto U.N. Security Council resolutions as permanent members. The Associated Press

/The International Herald Tribune/