Russia is ready to assist Iran in reaching workable solutions on its nuclear program, while Western nations are breaking agreements in an effort to reimpose sanctions. The statement came from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a press briefing after talks in Moscow with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
“We discussed Iran’s nuclear program in depth, especially given the unlawful and aggressive anti-Iran stance adopted by a number of Western states,” Lavrov said. “Russia reaffirms its readiness to help our Iranian partners find acceptable ways out of the nuclear crisis created by the West.”
He accused Western European countries of ignoring all existing agreements and Security Council resolutions in their push to restore UN sanctions against Iran—sanctions he stressed had formally expired months ago.
Lavrov condemned a blatant disregard for international law and attempts to put political interests above the UN Charter. He expressed hope that the UN Secretary-General would recognize he is being pulled into a “trap” and would not allow his office to be used to further what Russia views as the West’s self-serving and illegal agenda.
The Russian minister emphasized that any decisions on possible agreements to defuse the crisis must be made solely by Iran’s leadership, based on the interests of its people and with full respect for Tehran’s right—as a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty—to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS