Russia, Which Thwarted Iran Nuclear Deal, Demands Exemption from Domestic Sanctions

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Russia, participating in the negotiations to restore the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), is attempting to link Western sanctions against itself to the talks, putting the nearly finalized agreement at risk of collapse.

Politico reported on the 10th (local time), citing two anonymous diplomats, "The negotiations had passed the final hurdle. Even Iran's demand to remove the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from the U.S. terrorist list had reached some compromise," conveying this situation.

The United States, along with the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany, have been conducting negotiations with Iran since April last year in Vienna, Austria, where the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters is located, to restore the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

However, Russia, hit by a "sanctions bomb" due to its invasion of Ukraine, has made new demands, causing a deadlock. Russia is insisting that Western sanctions against Russia should not apply to future business with Iran.

The Western side holds the position that they cannot accept this because Russia could create a sanctions loophole through Iran.

Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated on the same day, "We make it clear that Russia sanctions are completely unrelated to the Iran nuclear deal," adding, "We have no intention of proposing anything new or specific related to Russia sanctions."

From Russia's perspective, there are aspects of the nuclear deal restoration that are unwelcome. Politico analyzed, "Russia is concerned that if the nuclear deal is restored, Iranian crude oil will flood the market, lowering energy prices and potentially strengthening Western sanctions against Russia beyond the current level."

An official familiar with the negotiations told Politico, "Theoretically, the nuclear deal restoration is possible without Russia." Russia had been responsible for receiving Iran's highly enriched uranium, exchanging it for natural uranium, and converting Iran's underground Fordow nuclear facility into a research center, but other countries such as China or Kazakhstan could replace Russia in these roles.

As the negotiations drag on, Iran continues to steadily increase its capability to produce nuclear weapon materials. The IAEA reported on the 3rd that Iran has stockpiled 33.2 kg of uranium enriched up to 60% concentration.

AP News reported, "Iran has nearly doubled its stockpile since November last year, bringing it one step closer to possessing weapons-grade uranium necessary for nuclear weapons production."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.