Lifting Sanctions Would Benefit Russia

The full lifting of sanctions imposed against Iran over its nuclear activities would be in line with Russia’s national interests and would benefit the Russian economy, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the Argumenty I Fakty weekly, Sputnik reported on Wednesday.  “Russian diplomacy made a significant contribution to the achievement of the Lausanne framework agreement (reached between Iran and the major powers on April 2) on the settlement of issues related to the Iranian nuclear program. We believe that further progress in this direction, the swift lifting of sanctions against Iran – restrictions imposed by the UN Security Council, as well as all unilateral restrictions – fully meets our national interests,” Lavrov said. The easing of tensions around Iran would benefit Russia’s bilateral trade and economic ties with Tehran, he added.