Francois Murphy and Parisa Hafezi

VIENNA (Reuters). -Russia’s request for U.S. assurances that Moscow will not be affected by sanctions against Iran was “not constructive,” a top Iranian official claimed on Saturday.

Russia announced the move, which could derail months of indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Vienna. The announcement came just after Tehran stated that it had signed a roadmap to deal with the U.N. Nuclear Watchdog to solve outstanding issues that may help to secure the nuclear agreement.

Since two days ago, the Russians have put their demand (at the Vienna negotiations) on the table. It is understood that Russia would like to protect its interests elsewhere by changing its position at the Vienna talks. The Iranian official in Tehran said that this move was not positive for Vienna nuke talks.” He spoke to Reuters.

Sergei Lavrov (Russian Foreign Minister) stated that Western sanctions on Ukraine have become a block to Iran’s nuclear deal. He also warned that Russian national interest would be considered.

Lavrov indicated that Russia needed a written commitment from the United States to ensure Russia’s commerce, investment, and military-technical collaboration with Iran were not affected by sanctions.

Ali Vaez (Iran Project Director, International Crisis Group) was asked if Russia’s request would affect 11 months worth of negotiations between Tehran and the world powers. He replied: “Not yet.” But it’s impossible to segregate the two crises for much longer.”

For the purpose of transferring excess fissile material from the United States to Russia, waivers can be issued by the U.S. But it’s a sign that the commingling of the two issues has started,” Vaez said.

The talks were attended by two diplomats. One of these diplomats was not present at the meeting. China demanded that written guarantees be given to Iran’s companies about being free from U.S. sanctions.

These demands could make it difficult to secure a nuclear agreement at a moment when one appeared likely. On Friday, all parties to the Vienna talks stated that they were very close to reaching an accord.

In exchange for Iran’s limitation of enrichment, the 2015 deal between Tehran and other major powers included a lifting of sanctions. This made it more difficult for Tehran to produce nuclear weapons material. After President Donald Trump’s withdrawal of the United States from 2018 and subsequent disintegration of the accord, it was dissolved.

For answers, please use the TIMETABLE

Mohammad Eslami, Iran’s nuclear chief, said Saturday that he had agreed to supply the IAEA (the Iranian lunar) Khordad (May 21,) with documents related the outstanding questions between Tehran (the agency) and Tehran”

He spoke at the Tehran joint press conference with Rafael Grossi (IAEA chief), who arrived late Friday in Tehran to address one of the most important issues that are preventing the revival of the Pact.

Grossi said that “it is essential to have this understanding…to work together, and work very intensely,” at the news conference.

These (outstanding) problems may prevent efforts to revive JCPOA (nuclear agreement) from being possible.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog and Iran are aiming to settle a disagreement over the origins of uranium particle found in old, undeclared locations by June 1, they stated together. This is to clear the way for the revival of the nuclear agreement.

According to a timeline in the statement https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/joint-statement-by-he-mr-mohammad-eslami-vice-president-and-president-of-the-atomic-energy-organization-of-iran-and-he-mr-rafael-grossi-director-general-of-the-international-atomic-energy-agency, Iran will provide “written explanations including related supporting documents” to unanswered IAEA questions on three sites by March 20 before other exchanges, after which Grossi “will aim to report his conclusion by the June 2022 (IAEA) Board of Governors”, which begins on June 6.

One of the major issues in these talks is Iran’s desire to have the matter of the uranium trace evidence found in several unreported sites in Iran closed. Several officials from the IAEA have stated to Reuters that this is a matter of its own and is therefore not part of the agreement.

Grossi also met with Iran’s foreign ministry before returning home to Vienna. Grossi stated that “there are still issues that must be addressed by Iran.”

Iran is being sought out by the IAEA to provide information on where the uranium tracks got there. This topic is often known as “outstanding security issues”.

Grossi’s recent trip raised hopes for an agreement with IAEA that could lead to the revival of the nuclear pact. Trump placed severe sanctions on Iran after pulling the United States out of negotiations.

Iran has violated the nuclear deal’s limits since 2019, and even gone beyond. Tehran rebuilt stockpiles enriched uranium and refined it to a higher fisile purity, and installed advanced centrifuges in order to increase output. Iran denied ever seeking to obtain nuclear weapons.