Russian Position On JCPOA Unclear

Developments today have done little to clarify the current state of the negotiations to reincorporate Iran into the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

• Last week talks stalled, as a deal looked imminent, when Russia reportedly demanded sanctions relief on trade with Iran.
• This morning Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow and in a joint presser stated: '[There is] no link between events in Ukraine and Vienna talks on Iran. Russia will stay next to Iran until the end of nuclear talks.'
• Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier today said that Moscow had 'received guarantees from Washington on its ability to trade with Tehran as part of ongoing talks to salvage the Iran nuclear deal.'
• Lawrence Norman of the Wall Street Journal wrote: 'Senior western source concurs that what exactly Russia's stance is now on Iran Talks sanctions guarantees "is not clear." Awaiting official communication.'
• A US State Department spokesman in response has been quoted saying: 'We would of course not sanction Russian participation in nuclear projects that are part of resuming full implementation of the JCPOA. We cannot provide assurances beyond that to Russia.'