Russia warns of military confrontation amid US’ ‘blackmailing’

In an interview with Russia’s Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily which was released Wednesday, the Deputy Foreign Minister complained that the US is only stepping up its pressure campaign against Iran without providing “alternative options” for the Islamic Republic.

“This (US-Iran tensions) may pave the way for a collapse of the JCPOA and the emergence of a chaotic situation, in which risks of a military confrontation would further increase,” Sputnik quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov as saying.

“We can see the severe pressure on the part of the United States toward Iran and [we can see] the attempts to blackmail this country. At the same time, there is no positive agenda and the United States is not suggesting any alternative options. It only declares, including on the high level, that it is open for dialogue. But it is not a basis for real talks,” Ryabkov added.

Last year, the US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled America out of the 2015 nuclear deal — Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — and imposed the “toughest ever” sanctions against Tehran, specifically targeting its key oil exports.

Following the meeting, Ryabkov said that Tehran would undoubtedly take new steps to suspend its commitments under the JCPOA unless the deal’s balance is restored.

Following the meeting, Ryabkov said that Tehran would undoubtedly take new steps to suspend its commitments under the JCPOA unless the deal’s balance is restored.

“Amid a lack of progress on how to restore a balance inside the JCPOA, Iran’s next steps will become inevitable. We have no doubt about that,” said the minister.