http://www.latimes.com/news/la-fgw-obama-russia-iran15-2009nov15,0,...

Both President Obama and Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev want Iran to relinquish potential nuclear explosive material in return for fuel. A White House official says the two leaders discussed possible sanctions if Iran refuses to comply.

Singapore - Both President Obama and Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev said Sunday they are losing patience with Iran and want a commitment that would ease fears the Iranians are developing nuclear weapons.

After an hour-long meeting here, the two leaders warned they won't wait much longer for Iran to accept a proposal that would resolve the dispute through diplomatic means.

If Iran is defiant, Obama said, "the alternative would be an approach that would involve increasing pressure on Iran to meet its international obligations.''

Following the meeting, a White House official told reporters that Obama and Medvedev discussed possible sanctions that would be imposed if Iran refuses to comply.

The U.S. and Russia want Iran to relinquish potential nuclear explosive material in return for fuel. In Geneva last month, Iran agreed to the deal in principle. But U.S. officials said Iranian leaders have since thrown up obstacles.

After the bilateral meeting, Obama said the solution offered to Iran is a fair one.

"Unfortunately, so far at least Iran appears to have been unable to say yes to what everyone acknowledges is a creative and constructive approach,'' Obama said.

For his part, Medvedev said, "We're still not satisfied with the pace of advancement of the process.'' U.S. officials said the deadline for Iran to act is the end of the year.

Presenting a united front, the U.S. and Russia hope the threat of sanctions will be enough to win compliance from Iran. Michael McFaul, a senior advisor to Obama, told reporters: "Both presidents said time is running out. And therefore we have to make preparations now to deal with the contingencies should the Iranians decide they don't want to be serious about the diplomatic path.''

Obama and Medvedev are both attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group meeting here. In their private meeting, they also discussed arms control. The two countries are negotiating a nuclear arms reduction treaty that would succeed one set to expire next month.

White House officials said they expect to reach an agreement with Russia before the end of the year. But the deal would then need to be ratified by the U.S. Senate and the Russian Duma.

In recent weeks, Ellen Tauscher, a U.S. Under Secretary of State for arms control, has expressed disappointment over the Russian response to an offer put forward by the U.S.

After the meeting, Obama voiced confidence they will meet the Jan. 1 deadline "if we work hard and with a sense of urgency about it …''