The major powers engaged in nuclear talks with Iran are working out a joint system to reimpose sanctions against Iran if a nuclear deal falls through, which takes into account both US and Russian concerns, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday.
"There is a certain scheme which allows combining our unconditional policy of ensuring the role of the UN Security Council as a body that takes decisions in this area, meaning no detours, no schemes that would bypass the Security Council. Luckily, our colleagues have accepted this," Ryabkov told RIA Novosti, Sputnik reported.
"On the other hand, the United States insists that in case other mechanisms to resolve the situation run out, and if, hypothetically, the (nuclear) agreement is not fulfilled, sanctions can be restored in full, or to some other degree. For them it is important to have a guarantee that such an outcome is possible," he said.
"There is an option that allows combining these two approaches," Russia's lead nuclear negotiator said.
Ryabkov added that Russia would very much like to see this jointly developed system "reflected in the text of a future UN Security Council resolution."
Western states have long accused Iran of trying to develop a nuclear weapons capability under the guise of a civilian program and introduced unilateral sanctions against the Middle Eastern nation in addition to four UN sanctions resolutions. Iran denies the allegation, saying its program is only for peaceful purposes such as power generation and medical research.
In April, the P5+1 (Russia, the United States, China, Britain, France and Germany) reached a framework agreement with Iran outlining the key parameters of a long-term settlement to the 12-year dispute over Tehran's nuclear program, which is set to be finalized by the end of this month.
Russia argues that lifting a UN arms embargo against Iran should be the first step in sanctions relief.
