The US is set to continue its first direct negotiations with Iran for decades, but many in the US administration expect the talks to fail since they see no willingness from Tehran. Therefore, the Americans have already started to plan for a new set of sanctions, hopefully backed by the United Nations.
Clinton's main task in Russia was to get the government to agree to prepare for effective sanctions, but she was rebuffed. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was very clear that any talk of sanctions was counter-productive. Clinton pointed out that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expects Iran to implement its promises on its nuclear programme. But this was undermined later in the week by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who warned against intimidating Iran.
Russia is playing its very weak hand well. Its economic position is dire as the oil price has collapsed from its previous record highs. However, Russia is a former superpower and still has nuclear weapons and so it is shown more respect by the Americans than what any other country in such a state would have got.
