Russia Criticizes New American Conditions for Nuclear Deal with Tehran

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov revealed during a press interview conducted Wednesday in Moscow an American demand to stop the activities of Iran-linked groups as a condition for reaching a new nuclear agreement, confirming continued Russian communication with the European side aimed at reviving this agreement.

Lavrov explained in the interview published on the official website of the Russian Foreign Ministry that Moscow supports a framework leading to "developing the nuclear agreement," but expressed his annoyance with the United States' insistence on imposing political conditions, including ending Iranian support for certain groups in Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria, considering these conditions "disturbing and concerning."

He highlighted that Washington is demanding Tehran stop supporting certain groups in the Middle East as a "fundamental condition for a new nuclear agreement."

While the American administration talks about a new nuclear agreement, this senior Russian official emphasized that his country still adheres to maintaining and implementing the current nuclear agreement, the agreement from which the United States withdrew during Donald Trump's first term.

Lavrov continued: "The concerning matter is that there are indications that the Americans want to link the new agreement to certain political conditions, including making verifiable arrangements proving that Iran has stopped supporting its allies in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and elsewhere," conditions described by the Russian Foreign Minister as "unachievable."

Regarding the reasons for his concern, the head of Russian diplomacy believes that all countries in the region "have strengthened their influence beyond their territories, and have economic and humanitarian projects and programs in other regions, including North Africa, and they even play the role of mediation in some crises such as the crisis in Sudan," adding that "excluding Iran alone from this right to expand its influence is unrealistic, while other countries are allowed to exercise their influence in various regions."

Following the arrival of Anwar Gargash, the political advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates, to Tehran carrying a message from Trump to Iranian officials, where he was received by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei announced, in a meeting with Iranian students, his rejection of the United States' conditions, indicating that he had not yet seen Trump's message.

Khamenei stated: "I would like to clarify that if the goal of negotiation is to lift sanctions, negotiating with this American administration will not lead to that, the embargo will not be lifted, rather (negotiation) will make sanctions more complicated, and will increase pressure, so negotiating with this administration will only lead to escalating pressure."

He continued: "A few days ago, during my meeting with officials, I mentioned that the American administration is proposing new demands and conditions and increasing expectations, making the situation more complex than it is today, therefore, negotiation will not solve any problem, and will not untie any knot."

It is known that Trump, since his return to the White House for a second term, has shown willingness to negotiate with Iran on one hand, while threatening to impose strict sanctions on the other hand, and has not ruled out resorting to the military option against Tehran.

Analysts believe the American president is seeking a new long-term agreement - as the current agreement expires in 2030 - and one that includes the ballistic missile program and Iranian regional policy.