Iran says surprised at sanctions plan, urges patience

Iran said on Saturday it was surprised by proposed new sanctions over its nuclear programme and said major powers should have waited for the verdict of a United Nations watchdog in March. 

"This cooperation started five months ago and we have reached a milestone in that process. Now we are on the brink of the finalisation of that cooperation," Mottaki told reporters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. "Therefore we advise them to exercise restraint. There is not much time left until the final report of the IAEA comes out," Mottaki said, speaking through an interpreter. (Reuters)