UNITED NATIONS, May 4: China and Russia said on Wednesday evening that they would oppose the American-backed resolution calling upon Iran to halt nuclear research and development activities and stop construction on a heavy-water nuclear reactor at Arak because it could be used to produce weapons-grade fuel.

However, US and European diplomats are hoping they can persuade the two veto-wielding powers to support the resolution unveiled by Britain, France and Germany, or at least abstain from a vote.

Iranian officials have said that they will not abide by the resolution, which they assert unjustly limits their right, under the 1970 Non-Proliferation Treaty, to pursue a peaceful nuclear energy programme.

US and European diplomats said they hope to have a vote on the resolution before Tuesday, when US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is scheduled to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme in New York with senior diplomats from Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia.