Moscow must have remembered that the latest U.N. Security Council resolution on Iran was accompanied by a statement of the six mediators about the possible alterations to their standpoint, "positive" for Iran. And it looks like the United States, as well as the three major European nations -- France, Germany and Britain -- have not supported an interim resolution that would rule out a serious toughening of the sanctions.

The latest U.N. Security Council Resolution, No. 1803, includes a travel ban imposed on a number of Iranian nationals who are known to participate in the development of that country's nuclear program, a freeze of several Iranian companies' and banks' accounts, and a compulsory inspection of all cargoes.

The Islamic republic was given 90 days to think, beginning on Feb. 22. What are the chances of Iran amending its position?

Anton Khlopkov, executive director of the Center for Political Studies, a Russian think tank, said at the Moscow meeting that Iranian politicians were almost unanimous about whether the country should carry on its nuclear energy program. They might only differ on how Iran should build its relations with other nations with regard to its nuclear dossier, and whether it is advisable to resort to such harsh rhetoric and demarches as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his team do.

Iran must certainly realize that the permanent Security Council members have walked into a blind alley with its nuclear dossier. On the one hand, the International Atomic Energy Agency confirms Iran has clarified some points about its previous nuclear activity, which the Security Council should see as a positive move, but on the other hand, the Islamic Republic of Iran is facing toughening sanctions.

It is also an open secret for the Islamic republic that alternative solutions to the crisis are being discussed in Western capitals, like at the Moscow meeting. It is for this reason that Iran is working to strengthen its position by announcing the installation of thousands of new centrifuges -- Ahmadinejad's statement about 6,000 IR-2s on April 8. The Islamic republic will certainly face new problems in developing its own uranium enrichment.

Admittedly Sen. John McCain's appearance on ABC is part of his presidential campaign. The Iranian nuclear problem is one of the important issues brought up by brought up by all U.S. presidential candidates in their campaign speeches. But do his statements reflect the White House's official position?

(Pyotr Goncharov is a political commentator for RIA Novosti. This article was originally published by RIA Novosti. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's alone.)

(United Press International's "Outside View" commentaries are written by outside contributors who specialize in a variety of important issues. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of United Press International. In the interests of creating an open forum, original submissions are invited.)

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