A senior Russian lawmaker says Moscow will likely back the Western draft UN Security Council resolution on Iran over its disputed nuclear program, The Associated Press news agency reports.

Yuri Volkov a deputy speaker of Russia’s lower house of parliament, has played a low-key role in the past and made no statements on global politics, although he is in charge of inter-parliamentary contacts with Iran.

His statement is in contrast with the Russian foreign minister’s criticism of the draft.

UN Security Council members are deliberating a resolution that would impose limited sanctions on Iran. Russia has indicated that the measure is too tough, while the United States says it is not tough enough.

Meantime, China today indirectly urged Iran not to escalate its standoff with the UN powers over Tehran’s nuclear program.

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