[Unofficial translation from Russian]

On July 31 the UN Security Council passed a resolution on the Iranian nuclear problem.

The Council had to take this step because in spite of the IAEA's attempts over three years to fully clarify the details of the Iranian nuclear program certain information gaps make it impossible for the Agency to draw the conclusion that there are no undeclared nuclear materials or activities in Iran.

In this context the Security Council called upon Iran without further delay to take the steps required by the IAEA, which are essential to rebuild confidence in the exclusively peaceful purpose of its nuclear program and to resolve outstanding questions. The Council demanded that Iran suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development, before August 31.

The resolution says that in the event that Iran has not by that date heeded the UNSC and IAEA, the Council will consider additional measures under Article 41 of the Charter of the United Nations (i.e., measures not involving use of force) to persuade Iran to comply with the requirements of the IAEA. Meanwhile, there will be no need for such measures should Teheran positively respond to this UNSC resolution.

Importantly, the resolution endorses the proposals of China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, with the support of the European Union's High Representative, for a long-term arrangement with Iran. These proposals remain on the negotiating table and, if acted upon, will provide a possibility for developing constructive cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and the establishment of international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program.

We voted for the Security Council resolution as one supporting the IAEA's efforts to resolve the situation around the Iranian nuclear program. In our view, it makes it possible to continue addressing this problem by political and diplomatic means. We urge Teheran to heed the opinion of the international community and to cooperate. Undoubtedly, the settlement of all the problems on the basis of the available package proposal would meet the long-term interests of Iran itself.