Iran is counting on Russia to remain neutral...

Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said in an interview published on Tuesday in Russian newspaper Vremya Novostei that Moscow"s support for new sanctions would "remain in the memory of the Iranian people."

The United States and other Western countries suspect Iran of developing nuclear weapons under the cover of a peaceful nuclear energy program and are seeking new sanctions following Iran"s move to enrich uranium to 20%.

"We would like Russia to take a neutral position. But on that your leadership will decide for itself," said Salehi, who is also the Iranian vice-president.

Russia has consistently said the dispute should be resolved through diplomatic means, but has increasingly expressed a willingness to consider sanctions.

President Dmitry Medvedev said last week that Iran"s intransigence could force the UN Security Council to look at the issue.

"Unfortunately, Tehran is not responding to a number of

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