Kremlin opposes oil embargo against Iran

TEHRAN,Jan.12(MNA)-- Russia opposes U.S. and possible European oil sanctions against Iran, even if Tehran presses ahead with uranium enrichment, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday, Reuters reported. "Regardless of any conditions ... be those the conditions in which the Iranian nuclear program expands or others, we are against the application of such measures against Iran," he was quoted by state-run Itar-Tass news agency as saying. He said new sanctions would not strengthen nuclear non-proliferation. The United States imposed additional sanctions on Iran last month and the European Union is expected to agree a ban on imports of Iranian oil later this month. According to the Washington Post, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner also received no specific assurances from Chinese officials Wednesday on his request that China reduce its oil imports from Iran.