Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says any progress in nuclear negotiations with Iran must be accompanied by an easing of sanctions.
In an interview with the Washington Post published today, Thursday September 26, Lavrov said: “The sanctions [on Iran] were imposed because of the lack of results in resolving the Iranian nuclear issue. If progress is achieved, this must be followed and reciprocated by softening and eventually lifting the sanctions.”
Lavrov referred to the recent statement of the Iranian administration as “encouraging” and added: "They confirmed the need to continue negotiations, they expressed their desire and willingness to be more transparent and to be more concentrated on reaching a result. Provided, of course, that the reciprocity is there."
Today in New York, the 5+1 foreign ministers are meeting a delegation headed by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to open the nuclear talks.
