Russia against crippling Iran sanctions: deputy FM

Russia opposes crippling sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear program, the Interfax news agency reported on Friday, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, Xinhua reported.
   "The term 'crippling sanctions' on Iran is totally unacceptable to us. The sanctions should aim at strengthening the regime of non- proliferation," Ryabkov was quoted as saying by Interfax.
   "We certainly cannot talk about sanctions that could be interpreted as punishment on the  whole country and its people for some actions or inaction," Ryabkov said.
   He said Russia's position on the Iranian nuclear problem remained unchanged. "We have always favored the resolution of problems regarding the Iranian nuclear program through dialogue and, if possible, interaction with Iran," he said.
   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who paid a visit to Russia earlier this week, said "crippling sanctions" must be imposed immediately against Iran's energy sector.
   Ryabkov also said Russia would honor a contract to deliver the S-300 air defense systems to Iran.
   Iran struck a deal with Russia on buying S-300 systems several years ago, but Russia has delayed the supply of the anti-aircraft missiles.
   The S-300 defense system is an advanced mobile system that can travel at more than 2 km per second and shoot down aircraft and cruise missiles from up to 150 km away.
   The United States and Israel were trying to persuade Russia not to sell the missile system to Iran because it could foil attempts to hit the country's nuclear facilities with an airstrike.