Russia will not back excessive Iran sanctions

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia will not support "excessive sanctions" against Iran in the United Nations Security Council, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.

"South Africa and Indonesia have proposed amendments (to a proposed UN resolution) which among other things underline the global nature of non-proliferation and we believe these amendments deserve the most attentive consideration," Lavrov said. "We will treat them constructively."

"We earlier agreed to act on Iran gradually and proportionately. ... We will not support excessive sanctions," Lavrov told the lower house of Russia's parliament.

The United States and leading European powers suspect Tehran of pursuing a nuclear weapon under cover of its atomic energy program. Iran denies such a plan.

Russia, which has a veto in the Security Council, has watered down previous resolutions on sanctions.