WP: US could make new deal on Iran without Russia

Washington does not intend to negotiate with Moscow on sanctions imposed because of the situation around Ukraine to save the deal on Iran, but it may try to conclude an alternative agreement without Russia, writes The Washington Post, citing sources.

According to the newspaper, as one of the options, a temporary agreement is being considered for Iran to freeze certain types of activities on the nuclear program in exchange for easing sanctions from Washington. However, as the newspaper emphasizes, Tehran has so far rejected the idea of ​​a temporary agreement.

A senior US official told the publication that there is also the option of creating a new document similar to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for the Iranian Nuclear Program (JCPOA). According to an administration official, Washington “does not exclude anything at the moment.”

The official also said that within a week Moscow could still withdraw a request for written guarantees exempting Russia from any sanctions on Ukraine that restrict trade with Iran. This condition was set by the Kremlin for the continuation of its participation in the agreement on Iran. The official noted that the Russian demands are “the most serious stumbling block and obstacle to reaching an agreement.”

Recall, on February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin made an emergency appeal to the Russians and announced a special military operation in the Donbass. In his speech, he stated that “circumstances require decisive action from Russia” and stressed that “Russia will not allow Ukraine to have nuclear weapons.” In response to Russia’s actions, Western countries (USA, Canada, EU, UK, Japan) announced new, tougher sanctions against the Russian Federation, including financial and economic ones.

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