Russia Criticizes New American Conditions for Nuclear Deal with Tehran
The Russian Foreign Minister's statements reveal increasing diplomatic complications in the Iranian nuclear file and conflicting interests among influential international powers in the region
March 13, 2025, 10:34 pm

Russia Criticizes New American Conditions for Nuclear Deal with Tehran

Photo credit: U.S. Department of State on VisualHunt.com

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov revealed during a press interview conducted Wednesday in Moscow an American demand to stop the activities of Iran-linked groups as a condition for reaching a new nuclear agreement, confirming continued Russian communication with the European side aimed at reviving this agreement.

Lavrov explained in the interview published on the official website of the Russian Foreign Ministry that Moscow supports a framework leading to "developing the nuclear agreement," but expressed his annoyance with the United States' insistence on imposing political conditions, including ending Iranian support for certain groups in Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria, considering these conditions "disturbing and concerning."

He highlighted that Washington is demanding Tehran stop supporting certain groups in the Middle East as a "fundamental condition for a new nuclear agreement."

While the American administration talks about a new nuclear agreement, this senior Russian official emphasized that his country still adheres to maintaining and implementing the current nuclear agreement, the agreement from which the United States withdrew during Donald Trump's first term.

Lavrov continued: "The concerning matter is that there are indications that the Americans want to link the new agreement to certain political conditions, including making verifiable arrangements proving that Iran has stopped supporting its allies in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and elsewhere," conditions described by the Russian Foreign Minister as "unachievable."

Regarding the reasons for his concern, the head of Russian diplomacy believes that all countries in the region "have strengthened their influence beyond their territories, and have economic and humanitarian projects and programs in other regions, including North Africa, and they even play the role of mediation in some crises such as the crisis in Sudan," adding that "excluding Iran alone from this right to expand its influence is unrealistic, while other countries are allowed to exercise their influence in various regions."

Following the arrival of Anwar Gargash, the political advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates, to Tehran carrying a message from Trump to Iranian officials, where he was received by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei announced, in a meeting with Iranian students, his rejection of the United States' conditions, indicating that he had not yet seen Trump's message.

Khamenei stated: "I would like to clarify that if the goal of negotiation is to lift sanctions, negotiating with this American administration will not lead to that, the embargo will not be lifted, rather (negotiation) will make sanctions more complicated, and will increase pressure, so negotiating with this administration will only lead to escalating pressure."

He continued: "A few days ago, during my meeting with officials, I mentioned that the American administration is proposing new demands and conditions and increasing expectations, making the situation more complex than it is today, therefore, negotiation will not solve any problem, and will not untie any knot."

It is known that Trump, since his return to the White House for a second term, has shown willingness to negotiate with Iran on one hand, while threatening to impose strict sanctions on the other hand, and has not ruled out resorting to the military option against Tehran.

Analysts believe the American president is seeking a new long-term agreement - as the current agreement expires in 2030 - and one that includes the ballistic missile program and Iranian regional policy.

Islamic Jihad Headquarters.. Israeli Aircraft Bomb Residential Area in Damascus Moscow Warns of Growing Extremist Influence in Syria.. Sharp Criticism at Security Council

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”