Possible new sanctions against Iran should...

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

"New sanctions will have no impact on the timeframe for putting the [Bushehr nuclear power plant] into operation," said Leonid Slutsky, first deputy head of the State Duma International Affairs Committee.

He added that sanctions were inevitable if Tehran finally rejected the IAEA-sponsored nuclear fuel swap scheme.

"Iran continues to test the patience of the international community and forcing it to use sanctions," the lawmaker said.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said earlier sanctions were unlikely to target Iran"s energy sector or its international trade, suggesting that sanctions should be "smart" and not hurt the Iranian people.

The Bushehr project manager said on Monday Iran had started final testing of the nuclear power

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