“Russia denies the efficiency of sanctions against Iran; it thinks that the sanctions are driving the problem into an impasse,” Itar-Tass quoted Ryabkov as saying on Sunday.
“Yet, bearing in mind the adherence of Western partners to sanctions, I think they should think about the time when the sanctions may be suspended and lifted,” he added.
The Russian official’s comments come as Iran and the P5+1 (Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States plus Germany) are gearing up to resume a second round of talks in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on May 23.
The last round of the negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 was held in the Turkish city of Istanbul on April 14. Both sides hailed the discussions as constructive.
Meanwhile, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano arrived in Tehran on Monday for talks with Iranian officials on “issues of mutual interest and a closer cooperation” between Iran and the IAEA.
MYA/GHN/HJL