Blinken says Ukraine sanctions on Russia not linked with Iran nuclear talks
Advertise Here
Olivier Douliery/Pool via REUTERS
Blinken says Ukraine sanctions on Russia not linked with Iran nuclear talks
WASHINGTON, March 6 (Reuters) – The sanctions imposed on Russia over its Ukraine invasion have nothing to do with a potential nuclear deal with Iran, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday, after Russia’s demand a day before on written guarantees from Washington that its punitive measures won’t harm cooperation on Iran.
In an interview with CBS’s “Face the Nation” show, Blinken said a potential nuclear deal with Iran was still close, but cautioned that “a couple of very challenging remaining issues” were still unresolved.
“The sanctions that have been put in place … on Russia have nothing to do with the Iran nuclear deal and the prospects of getting back into that agreement,” Blinken said. “These things are totally different and just are not, in any way, linked together. So I think that’s irrelevant.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that the Western sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine had become a stumbling block for the Iran nuclear deal, warning that Russian national interests would have to be taken into account.
Read more on the original:
UN nuclear agency’s board condemns Iran for the 2nd time this year for failing to fully cooperate 
Israel and Iran Seemed on the Brink of a Bigger War. What’s Holding Them Back? 
Iran says woman detained after undressing released without charge 
Iran offers to cap sensitive uranium stock to avoid IAEA resolution 
Families of American Victims of Oct. 7 Attack Sue Iran 
Iran hawks will hold less sway in Trump’s new government