Putin praises US on Iran but says sanctions harmful
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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday praised the US role in forging an interim deal to ease concerns about Iran's nuclear program but said he hoped a US decision to broaden a blacklist of companies under existing sanctions would not undermine progress toward a comprehensive agreement.
"As for sanctions, I am certain that this is a counterproductive decision," Putin said. "I hope ... movements in this direction will not be a barrier to all of us moving forward toward a solution to the Iranian nuclear problem." (Reuters)
