Russia: To Do Everything to Keep Iran’s Nuclear Deal Alive

Local Editor

Russia vowed it will do everything possible to keep the 2015 Iran nuclear deal alive after the US chose to unilaterally abandon the international agreement.

In this context, Moscow announced that it will continue trade cooperation with Tehran despite the return of American sanctions.

The Russian Foreign Ministry made the comments in a statement quoted by the Interfax news agency on Thursday without further details.

The European parties to the deal are currently working to finalize a package of proposals meant to blunt the impact of returning US sanctions on their businesses in Iran and safeguard their commercial ties with Tehran.

Russia has, in turn, said it will develop even closer ties with Iran in the wake of Washington's pullout from the deal.

A senior Russian official said Moscow will reinforce its relations with Iran in different sectors should the US withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement.

Vladimir Yermakov, Director General of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control at Russia’s Foreign Ministry, had said in early May that with the US exit “it might even be easier for us on the economic front, because we won’t have any limits on economic cooperation with Iran. We would develop bilateral relations in all areas – energy, transport, high tech, medicine."

Washington has threatened the European firms with hefty penalties should they refuse to leave Iran with the return of American sanctions.

Russia’s Envoy to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said on Wednesday the US “discredited itself by proving to be an unreliable partner."

He also praised Iran for its “wise and balanced” approach in dealing with Washington and its attempt to keep its side of the agreement.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team