(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the U.S. role in forging an interim deal to ease concerns aboutIran's nuclear programme 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 newsconference. "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."