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Time is reserved for discussing the situation around the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea.

Regarding the Iranian subject, Russia has consistently advocated for continuing dialogue with Tehran with a view to finding mutually acceptable solutions to existing problems. However, in the absence in this area of visible progress, we do not exclude the possibility of exerting additional pressure on the Iranians with the aid of sanctions. At the same time we believe that such sanctions must be aimed solely at addressing nonproliferation objectives, not at a financial and economic strangulation of the country.

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