Russia Using Iran as Bargaining Chip

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said today that if the US freezes its plans to build a missile defense shield in Europe, the Iranian nuclear problem could be resolved. Lavrov told ITAR-TASS that building the shield would “seriously complicate” efforts to end the standoff over the Iranian program.

Lavrov did not elaborate on how the two programs are linked. But using the old Kremlin lingo, he made it clear that if a compromise on the missile shield project is worked out with the US, Russia will back US proposals on Iranian nuclear program at the UN.

The US and Russian presidents will meet at Bush family home in Kennebunkport, Maine on July 1-2. Iran is reportedly at the top of their agenda.