Medvedev: Russia may support sanctions on Iran

PITTSBURGH — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (dih-MEE’-tree med-VYEH’-dyev) says Russia would support new sanctions against Iran if diplomatic efforts fail.

Medvedev had opened the door to backing potential sanctions Wednesday following a meeting with President Barack Obama in New York.

The Russian president offered further clarification Thursday. He said that if efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons do not succeed, then Russia would support sanctions.

Medvedev was speaking to university students in Pittsburgh, where leaders of the world’s largest economies have gathered for a two-day summit.

His appearance at the University of Pittsburgh comes 50 years to the day after Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev spoke to Pitt students during his historic 1959 trip to the United States.