Russia sets stage for U.N. veto of western bid to call out Iran

FILE PHOTO - Russian ambassador to the U.N. Vasily Nebenzya speaks to members of the United Nations Security Council after voting for ceasefire to Syrian bombing in eastern Ghouta, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, U.S., February 24, 2018. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Russia has laid the groundwork for a likely veto on Monday of a British, U.S. and French bid for the United Nations Security Council to call out Iran over its weapons falling into the hands of Yemen's Houthi group.

The 15-member Security Council has to renew its targeted sanctions on Yemen on Monday. Russia has proposed a rival resolution that would simply extend the mandate of the regime for one year and not mention Iran.