Russian cooperation with US on nuclear Iran in doubt after new sanctions

Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that a widening of US sanctions against Moscow this week may hamper bilateral cooperation on issues such as Iran's nuclear program and the Syrian crisis. "The actions by the United States are putting in doubt the prospects of bilateral cooperation on solving the situation around the Iranian nuclear program, the Syrian crisis and other acute international problems," the ministry said.

"As Washington could have seen previously, we don't leave such unfriendly acts without an answer," the statement added.

DEBKAfile:  This is the first time that Moscow has turned the screw on the Iranian and Syrian issues following US and EU sanctions over Ukraine. Our sources in recent months predicted that Russia would ratchet up its Cold War stance at some point  in response to these penalties.