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Russia says nuclear issue must not dominate Iran Six talks

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The Iranian nuclear issue should be on the agenda of the Iran Six talks, but must not be the only topic discussed by the parties, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday.

The Iranian nuclear issue should be on the agenda of the Iran Six talks, but must not be the only topic discussed by the parties, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday.

"We mean that [the nuclear program] should be one of the key topics at the discussion with the Iranian side, but at the same time we believe the Iranian proposals ... should not be evaded," Ryabkov said.

The Russian diplomat said "everything proposed by both sides should be discussed" and the sooner the dialogue with Tehran starts, the more chances it will "lead to progress."

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said last week Tehran was ready to resume dialogue with the Iran Six, but would put off talks until the end of August in order to "punish" the West for imposing fresh sanctions over its nuclear program.

The sanctions, adopted by the UN Security Council on June 9, include tougher financial controls and an expanded arms embargo, as well as an asset ban on three dozen companies and a travel freeze on individuals.

Earlier this week, the EU imposed a unilateral ban on most of Iran Air's jets from flying to Europe. The EU said the move was introduced over safety concerns and was not related to the UN sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Iranian officials said on Monday, the country's passenger jets were banned from refueling at airports in Germany, Britain and the United Arab Emirates, but airport officials dismissed the reports.

A member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh criticized the move and warned that "Iran will do the same to ships and planes of those countries that cause problems for us," ISNA reported.

The Russian deputy foreign minister said Russia was "against unilateral measures with a sanctions character."

"If the case is aviation safety, this is one issue, but if it is some kind of restrictions imposed in addition to Resolution 1929, this approach is unacceptable for us," Ryabkov said.

MOSCOW, July 8 (RIA Novosti)

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