China, Russia refuse to endorse Iran sanctions statement

China and Russia have refused to join other major nations in a statement threatening sactions against Iran if it continues to enrich uranium.

A diplomat at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) talks said that the two nations did not want any reference "to sanctions or punitive actions."

In another blow to the U.S.-led effort against Iran's nuclear program, nations from the Non-Aligned Movement are preparing a statement for the IAEA affirming Iran's right to enrich uranium and opposing any military attack on nuclear facilities.

Iranian MP Kazem Jalali said in Tehran Tuesday that his country would not accept stopping uranium enrichment activities as a precondition to further talks on its nuclear program.