The Telegraph: Russia Warns Against Catastrophic Iran Strike

Russia has warned a strike against Iran could have "catastrophic" consequences, and urged leaders not to rush into any conclusions after this week's failed mission by UN nuclear experts. "The scenario of military action against Iran would be catastrophic for the region and possibly the whole system of international relations," Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov told a news conference. His comments came after a five-strong delegation from the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) left empty-handed following two days of talks focusing on suspected military aspects of the country's nuclear program. Chief nuclear inspector Herman Nackaerts said the team "could not get access" during the visit to Iran's military site in Parchin, where suspected nuclear warhead design experiments were conducted. Russia has longstanding commercial and military ties with Iran, and has condemned recent unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union over its suspected pursuit of nuclear arms. Mr Gatilov urged nations to wait for the IAEA's official report before deciding to condemn Iran for failing to cooperate with the agency. Ayatollah Khamenei insists Iran's nuclear course will not change, and UN inspectors were denied access to key military sites. In addition, Iran threatens preemptive action against Israel. "I would not make any profound conclusions from the IAEA mission that dialog failed and we reached a dead end," said Mr Gatilov. "We are not dramatizing the situation."