Obama hails closer cooperation with Russia on Iran

[April 20, 2010]  PRAGUE (AP) -- President Barack Obama says talks to reach an arms treaty with Russia have also yielded closer cooperation toward achieving sanctions against Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Obama says he and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (dih-MEE'-tree med-VYEH'-dyev) can be frank with one another, and that helped facilitate their joint work toward discouraging Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons.

Obama also says the nuclear arms treaty he and Medvedev signed Thursday in Prague set an example for Iran and other nations by showing that the world's two leading nuclear powers would abide by international obligations.

Obama and Medvedev reaffirmed their commitment to considering new sanctions against Iran if the Islamic republic continues to refuse to suspend uranium enrichment.

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PRAGUE (AP) -- President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (dih-MEE'-tree med-VYEH'-dyev) have reaffirmed their commitment to considering new sanctions against Iran if the Islamic republic continues to refuse to suspend uranium enrichment and start talks on its nuclear program.

Medvedev says it's regrettable that Iran has not responded to many constructive proposals the international community has offered, and it's possible the United Nations Security Council will have to take up the issue.

Obama says the U.S. will not tolerate any actions by Iran that risk an arms race in the Middle East or threaten the credibility of the international community.

Medvedev and Obama spoke after signing a new nuclear arms agreement between the U.S. and Russia in Prague.

[Associated Press]

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