Senior U.S. officials say that despite a recent military agreement between Moscow and Tehran and Western sanctions over its actions in Ukraine, Russia continues to play a constructive role in the nuclear talks with Iran.
“At least as of this moment, what we have seen in the context of the negotiations with Iran, Russia continues to play a constructive role." Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in testimony at a January 21 Senate hearing.
Blinken said Russia had been pushing Iran in the right direction in order to reach a lasting resolution to curb its nuclear program.
Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen said sanctions on Russia had not "bled over" into the negotiations with Iran.
Blinken also said negotiators hoped to reach an agreement in March on the core elements on a nuclear agreement with Iran.
