Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.) expressed concern on Tuesday about a reported agreement that could lead to Iran trading oil to Russia in exchange for weapons or assistance with its nuclear program.
Royce, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry that he was concerned that Iran had sidestepped an interim nuclear agreement with the United States with an alleged $20 billion barter agreement with Russia.
“Reports indicate that Iranian and Russian officials have discussed an illicit oil-for-goods contract that could undermine the sanctions regime and weaken American negotiating leverage,” Royce said. “These efforts to evade sanctions undermine Iran’s agreement with the P5+1 and cast serious doubt on Iranian intentions.”
Royce said it’s possible that Russia would offer a missile defense system to fulfill its obligations to Iran because it’s unlikely that commodity exports would total $20 billion.
“It would be a serious mistake for the administration to ignore any agreement in which Russia enables illegitimate Iranian activity through nuclear construction or the supply of advanced weaponry,” Royce said.
Royce asked that Kerry investigate the alleged barter agreement and provide information on what sanctions it would violate.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov recently dismissed U.S. threats of additional sanctions if Russia engages in trade with Iran. Royce asked for information on what specific sanctions would be imposed if an agreement comes to light.