U.S. State Department: We Are Monitoring Economic Cooperation Between Iran and Russia

The Biden administration will closely scrutinize economic agreements between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia to ensure that U.S. sanctions are not violated. In a press conference on Wednesday, a Voice of America reporter asked Vedant Patel, the Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, whether he sees economic projects between the two countries as an attempt to circumvent Biden's sanctions. Patel responded, "Any step or project aimed at evading sanctions would be very concerning." He warned that the Biden administration would not tolerate further actions, primarily referring to sanctions. On Wednesday, May 17, Iran and Russia signed a contract for the construction of a railway between Rasht and Astara. Several other economic agreements, including in the oil and natural gas sectors, were also announced on the same day. Simultaneously, the office of the VTB Bank's representative in Iran was also opened. The Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. State Department had stated on Monday that the increase in such cooperation poses a threat to Ukraine, the neighbors of Russia and Iran, and the international community as a whole. Gita Arian, a senior reporter for the Persian section of Voice of America, primarily focuses on foreign policy news. She began her journalism career in 1987 with work in radio and joined Voice of America in 2004. The U.S. reaction to Politico's report: No change has occurred, and all options are on the table. The U.S. is working to end military cooperation between the Islamic Republic and Russia. Exclusive: The U.S. called Iran's presidency of the Social Forum of the UN Human Rights Council "deeply concerning." Widespread reactions to executions in Iran; the U.S. stated it is a sign of the regime's "eagerness" to violate human rights.