Iran says it will not be dictated to by foreign interests, after Russia appeared to link efforts to revive a deal over its nuclear programme to sanctions over Ukraine, which Moscow’s envoy to Tehran called a misunderstanding.
A deal over reviving Iran’s 2015 pact with world powers seemed close, all parties to negotiations in Vienna said on Friday after months of indirect talks between Tehran and Washington
But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov added uncertainty on Saturday, saying Moscow wanted a written U.S. guarantee that its trade, investment and military-technical cooperation with Iran would not be hindered by Western sanctions imposed since it invaded Ukraine.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said Tehran would not allow foreign elements to undermine its national interests, while the foreign ministry said it awaited an explanation from Russia.
The Iranian semi-official news agency Tasnim quoted Moscow’s Ambassador to Tehran Levan Dzhagaryan as saying that Russia – which France on Monday warned not to resort to blackmail over efforts to revive the deal – planned to give Iran an explanation of the guarantees it has requested from the United States.
Asked about Lavrov’s statement about linking Ukraine sanctions to the nuclear pact, Dzhagaryan told Tasnim “there is a misunderstanding in this regard.” He did not elaborate.
Oil prices hit their highest since 2008 on Monday amid market supply fears as the United States and European allies considered banning Russian oil imports and prospects for a swift return of Iranian crude to global markets receded.
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