US says Iran feeling heat after Russia criticism

US diplomats are touring the world to urge governments to curb Iran's key export.

WASHINGTON: The United States said Wednesday that Iran was feeling the heat over its nuclear program after Russia warned that a US drive to cut the Islamic regime's oil exports hurt chances for peace.

US diplomats have been touring the world to urge governments to curb Iran's key export. China, India and Russia have all resisted the calls, although Japan and the European Union are looking at ways to reduce Iranian oil imports.

"We do think that these consultations are bearing fruit," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters.

"We also see that Iran is already feeling the pinch in terms of the revenue it counts on from its crude, and we'll continue to work on this," she said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier Wednesday said that punitive sanctions on Iran had "exhausted" themselves and would only harm prospects for peace by stirring up discontent.

Nuland defended US economic pressure, saying that "our concern is that the money that the Iranian regime gains from the export of crude is fueling its nuclear program."

"We really need to get the regime's attention," she said. "It is important to get it where it bites."

Deputy Secretary of State William Burns visited Russia this week in part to explain a controversial new US law that punishes foreign companies that deal with Iran's central bank, which plays a key role in oil sales.

Lavrov, in his remarks, also warned that a military strike against Iran would be a "catastrophe" and inflame existing tensions between Sunni and Shia Muslims.