UNITED NATIONS (AFP) -- Russia's UN envoy on Wednesday warned that slapping sanctions on oil-rich Iran over its nuclear program would backfire on the world community as Tehran could retaliate by halting oil and gas exports.

"If you impose sanctions theoretically on Iran, then it would be appropriate to ask a question: Who is imposing sanctions on whom: the international community on Iran or rather Iran on the international community?" ambassador Andrei Denisov told reporters here.

"Iran is one of the major suppliers of oil and gas. So it will be a very strong blow on the international energy market. That is one clear consequence of imposing sanctions," the Russian ambassador said. He stressed that ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed "to try to solve the question without imposing sanctions."

Oil traders also fear that Iran may use its energy weapon against the industrialized world in the face of possible sanctions.

But Iran, the second-biggest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, insisted Tuesday it saw "no reason" to stop oil exports as it faced the threat of being hauled before the UN Security Council over its nuclear activities.

The five permanent Security Council members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany agreed in London Tuesday to bring Iran before the Council, but, in a compromise with Russia, put off UN action until at least the next IAEA meeting in March.

Iran insists that its nuclear program is a peaceful effort to generate electricity.

Moscow wants time to find a compromise solution.

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said in the Turkish capital Thursday that the international community must make a "firm and unified" response to Iran's disputed nuclear activities.

It is "important that the international community react to the Iranian nuclear program in a rapid, firm and unified way," he told a press conference after meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Douste-Blazy said he had insisted to Turkey that it "be in the group of those that vote" for a European draft resolution to report Iran to the Security Council.

He encouraged Turkey, as Iran's neighbor, to pass on his message to Tehran. "We have an interest in seeing the Turks give messages, particularly to the Iranians, that a firm reaction is needed," he said, adding that it was important not to "close the door to negotiations."

Iran has threatened to retaliate if it is hauled before the Council by resuming suspended nuclear work and halting the voluntary implementation of the additional protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).