Russia opposes the expansion of US “unilateral and illegitimate” sanctions against Iran, warning that they will impede further progress in the talks about the Iranian nuclear energy program.
"We clearly reject such steps. The US unilateral sanctions are illegitimate and contrary to the normal course of development of bilateral relations,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters at the Iranian Embassy in Moscow on Tuesday on the sidelines of a ceremony held to mark the 35th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution.
“And in this particular situation they [sanctions] impede further progress in the negotiations," the diplomat said.
On February 6, the US blacklisted nearly three dozen companies and individuals, accusing them of evading anti-Iran sanctions. The US Treasury Department said the targeted entities operated in Turkey, Spain, Germany, Georgia, Afghanistan, Iran, Liechtenstein and the United Arab Emirates.
David Cohen, the top Treasury sanctions official, also warned that companies and governments still risk heavy penalties if they expand trade with Iran.
Iran and the five permanent of the UN Security Council – Russia, China, France, Britain and the US – plus Germany signed an interim nuclear deal in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 24, 2013. Under the Geneva agreement, the Sextet of world powers agreed to provide Iran with some sanctions relief in exchange for Tehran agreeing to limit certain aspects of its nuclear activities during a six-month period.
Ryabkov further gave a positive assessment of positive neighborly ties between Iran and Russia.
"Currently, our relations are developing on a healthy basis, we are good neighbors, we have no complaints against one another," the Russian official said.
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