VIENNA, June 13: China and Russia refused on Tuesday to join with other big powers in threatening sanctions over Iran’s nuclear programme during diplomatic jostling at the UN nuclear watchdog.

In a further blow to US efforts to present a united front at the International Atomic Energy Agency talks, non-aligned nations prepared a statement reaffirming Tehran’s right to enrich uranium.

Diplomats played down the significance of the cracks, however, saying IAEA members would try not to hinder an international offer to Iran of benefits if it reins in its nuclear ambitions.

“Everybody feels they want this package (of benefits) to have every possible chance of success,” a western diplomat said.

A second western diplomat said the United States had been seeking a new statement in Vienna from the six world powers setting out both possible benefits and sanctions for Iran.

But Russia and China were reluctant to sign up.

Russia and China ‘didn’t want a reference to sanctions or punitive actions’, the diplomat said.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice discussed Iran with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing by telephone, a Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman said in Beijing.

“China will continue to play a constructive role to help peacefully solve the Iran nuclear issue through negotiations,” the Chinese spokesman said on the ministry’s internet site.

NAM STAND: Delegates from several non-aligned nations, of which China is a member, were nevertheless preparing a statement that supported Iran’s right to enrichment, as enshrined in the NPT, diplomats said.