Kremlin’s 90th-Minute Condition Brings Amir Abdollahian to Moscow; Iran Defends Russia’s Approach in Vienna Negotiations

Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, will meet and hold talks with Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Iran’s Foreign Minister, in Moscow on Tuesday.

According to reports, the two sides will discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as well as Vienna negotiations for reviving the JCPOA during this meeting. Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also confirmed on Monday that the focus of talks between Amir Abdollahian and Russian officials will be Vienna negotiations and developments in Ukraine.

As diplomats say nuclear talks in Vienna have reached their final stages, Russia has raised a new demand that has led to a halt in negotiations. If an agreement is reached, Iran will reduce its nuclear activities in exchange for lifting crippling economic sanctions.

Moscow, which faces extensive Western sanctions due to its invasion of Ukraine, says the United States must guarantee that these sanctions will not affect Russia’s trade relations with Iran.

Many figures in Iran, criticizing Russia’s new condition which has become a new obstacle to reviving the JCPOA, have viewed it as a form of Russian interference in Iran’s affairs. However, Saeed Khatibzadeh on Monday described Russia’s approach “so far” in the negotiations as “constructive” at his press conference.

Regarding the relationship between Russia’s new condition and the halt in Vienna talks, Khatibzadeh said Russia’s demand “should be discussed and negotiated in the JCPOA Joint Commission.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, however, described the halt in Vienna talks as “a breath and short pause.”

The United States, rejecting Russia’s new demand, says Moscow cannot link sanctions related to its invasion of Ukraine with nuclear negotiations in Vienna.

Three countries—France, Britain, and Germany—also previously warned Russia through a joint statement that its demands for guaranteeing trade with Iran could cause the revival negotiations of the JCPOA to fail.

The announcement of Abdollahian’s trip to Russia comes as the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, March 13, quoting a senior U.S. government official, that Washington has asked Moscow to withdraw its demand in Vienna talks within a week, otherwise the United States will pursue alternative solutions including a temporary agreement with Iran.

Source: Voice of America