Russia threatens to block Iran's nuclear deal
Russia has demanded guarantees from the United States before backing a proposed nuclear deal with Iran. If Iran agrees, the document could be accepted, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry
Russia has sought assurances from the United States before backing a proposed nuclear deal with Iran in a bid to protect trade and business interests in the wake of tough sanctions imposed on Russia following the attack on Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's statement on Russia's guarantees has reduced Tehran's chances of resuming the 2015 nuclear deal as soon as possible.
Commenting on Russia's announcement, an Iranian official said that the Russians had made the demand two days ago at the Vienna talks, adding that it was understood that Russia wanted to protect its interests in other matters by changing its position in the Vienna talks. The move is not conducive to the Vienna nuclear talks.
Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), meanwhile, said after talks in Tehran that they had agreed on a strategy to resolve key issues in an effort to restore the agreement.
Speaking at a press conference, Sergei Lavrov said that most of the issues covered in the nuclear talks have been covered and that our view is that if Iran agrees, the document could be started in the acceptance phase.
He also referred to the aggressive sanctions imposed on Russia by Western countries, saying that this meant that Moscow would first have to ask for guarantees from the United States, which would require a clear response to the new sanctions on its rights under the nuclear deal. Will not affect
"We have requested that our US counterparts, at least at the level of Secretary of State, give us written assurances that the implementation of the recent sanctions imposed by the US will in any way free our relations with Iran," he told a news conference.
Trade, economic rights, investment and military-technical cooperation will not be harmed. It came shortly after the announcement, which may have dashed hopes that the deal could be completed soon.
Russia, along with Britain, China, France and Germany, is a party to the ongoing talks in the Austrian capital to restore the agreement, with the United States indirectly involved.