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On Monday, Oct. 16, Russia demanded that the United States lift sanctions against two Russian companies accused of making deals with Iran involving sensitive technology. Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin hinted that a U.S. refusal could affect negotiations on UN sanctions resolution against Tehran.

Churkin said the sanctions against state arms exporter Rosoboronexport and top aircraft maker Sukhoi for allegedly violating a U.S. law known as the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000, create a «predicament» for Moscow.

If Russia is asked to vote on a Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on Iran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment at the same time that Russian companies are subject to U.S. sanctions, it would be voting on a measure «which at least by implication supports sanctions which have already been imposed on us», he said.

«So it is a somewhat ridiculous, bizarre political predicament», Churkin said. “The other side of it is that we don’t know why those sanctions were imposed on the two organizations back in Russia.”

Churkin said Russia wants the sanctions lifted off the two companies, whether or not UN sanctions are leveled against Iran. He made his comments as France, Britain and Germany were consulting on elements for a UN sanctions resolution against Iran.

The United States alleged the Russian companies have made deals with Iran involving sensitive technology. Russia has objected to the U.S. law, and both Russian companies deny any violation.

Iran insists its uranium enrichment program is purely for peaceful means — to provide nuclear energy — but Washington and its European allies suspect Tehran’s real goal is nuclear weapons.

Under the sanctions imposed against the Russian companies in early August, the U.S. government is prohibited from dealing with them. The sanctions also suspend any export licenses to the companies for certain products considered sensitive, and prohibit issuance of new licenses.

In late August, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Moscow and Washington disagreed over the facts in the case and that he agreed to have the matter reconsidered.

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said Churkin had not spoken to him about lifting U.S. sanctions against the two Russian companies. «We are going to be moving this week on the Iran sanctions question and I suppose I'll hear it at that point», he said.

Churkin softened his stance somewhat when asked if Russia would block an Iran sanctions resolution if U.S. sanctions against the two companies weren't lifted.

«I don't want to make any strong statements to that effect», he said, quoted by Reuters. Churkin also signaled that Moscow is in no hurry to adopt a resolution against Iran.