IRAN ALLEGES RUSSIA FOR TURNING HOSTILE

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused Russian President of turning against Tehran and joining the US in spreading lies about its nuclear programme 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 that Iran was getting closer in 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 programme. 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 Iran,” Ahmadinejad said in a speech posted on his website.