New Russian demands reportedly threaten Iran nuclear negotiations

Last-minute Russian demands are threatening negotiations aimed at reviving the Iranian nuclear deal, Reuters reports.

Russia demanded the US guarantee that Western sanctions against Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine not affect Russian trade with Iran, the report says, citing a European diplomat.

Two other diplomats tell Reuters that Russia’s exact demands are unclear.

The US is unwilling to discuss Russia’s new demands, the report says.

The revived deal, which would bring back the US and Iran to the nuclear accord, was said to be nearly complete.

Iran and world powers are holding talks in Vienna. Iran’s negotiator returned to Vienna today from Tehran.

Russian negotiator Mikhail Ulyanov denies that Russia was impeding progress and defends its stance.

“In view of the new circumstances and wave of sanctions against Russia we have the right to protect our interests in the nuclear field and wider context,” he says.