Obama, Russian leader hold talks over Iran nukes

NEW YORK — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says sanctions are rarely productive but opened the door to tougher ones to halt Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons program.

After meeting with President Barack Obama in New York, the Russian leader told reporters “in some cases sanctions are inevitable.”

Obama’s top priority in his sit-down with Medvedev was Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Talks are scheduled for next month between a group of nations and Iran, and Obama wants to pursue tougher sanctions if those meetings yield nothing. Yet, Russia has stood in the way of stronger action against Tehran in the past.

Obama told reporters that he remains committed to negotiating with Iran in “serious fashion” but that “serious, additional sanctions” remain a possibility.