BREAKING NEWS

Teheran criticizes Russian president for sanctions support

TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused Russian President Dmitry Medvedev of turning against Teheran and joining US efforts to spread lies about its nuclear program on Friday, in the latest sign that Iran is drifting apart from a one-time key backer.
Ahmadinejad said Dmitry Medvedev entered a "propaganda drama" directed by Washington by saying last week that Iran was getting closer to being able to develop nuclear weapons.
The Iranian president has had harsh words for Moscow since it became apparent that Russia would support last month's new United Nations sanctions against Tehran for its refusal to stop parts of its nuclear program. In the past, Iran had depended on allies Russia and China — and their veto power at the Security Council — to block tough penalties.
"Russia is a great nation and we are interested in continuing friendship between the two nations but his (Medvedev's) remarks are part of a propaganda drama that is to be carried out by the US president against the Iranian nation," Ahmadinejad said in a speech posted on his website Friday.
"In fact, Mr. Medvedev has kick-started this drama," he said.