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Putin praises US on Iran deal but says sanctions harmful

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the US role in forging an interim deal to ease concerns about Iran's nuclear program but said he hoped the blacklisting of additional Iranian companies under existing sanctions would not undermine progress toward a comprehensive agreement.
"As for sanctions, I am certain that this is a counterproductive decision," Putin told a news conference. "I hope ... movements in this direction will not be a barrier to all of us moving forward toward a solution to the Iranian nuclear problem."