Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov supports the revival of the JCPOA, reaffirming the importance of restoring the original agreement. He raised concerns about the U.S. linking political conditions to a potential new nuclear deal. Lavrov also opposed any pressure on Iran regarding its regional influence, asserting that such a situation is untenable.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has expressed unequivocal support for the revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), originally established in 2015 between Iran and six major world powers. During an interview with American bloggers, he addressed the ongoing negotiations surrounding the Iran deal, confirming that discussions have also involved the United States and European parties with an aim to restore the original agreement from which the U.S. withdrew in 2018.
Lavrov emphasized the importance of reinstating the format that facilitated the original JCPOA, which received endorsement from the United Nations Security Council and Iran. He remarked, “We’ll see how it goes,” alluding to his ongoing consultations with both American and European officials regarding the intricate negotiations on this matter.
Furthermore, Lavrov commented on recent reports indicating that U.S. President Donald Trump seeks a new nuclear deal with Iran. He expressed concern over the U.S. intention to impose political conditions for such a deal, stating, “The US wants to link a new nuclear deal with Iran to oblige it not to support (resistance) groups in the Middle East, but this option will not work.”
The 2015 JCPOA deal, negotiated among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany, aimed to address Iran’s nuclear program. However, Trump’s withdrawal from the agreement resulted in the re-imposition of sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to eventually reduce its nuclear commitments after a year of non-compliance from European nations concerning economic relief promises.
Lavrov firmly rejected any notion of pressure on Iran regarding its regional influence, highlighting the inconsistency of allowing all countries but Iran to exert influence over other nations in the region, stating, “I believe that a situation in which all countries except Iran have the right to influence other countries in the region is an impossible scenario.”
In conclusion, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov advocates for the restoration of the JCPOA, emphasizing the need for a unified approach involving all parties. He voiced concerns over the United States’ proposal for a new deal laden with political conditions, and he firmly opposed any pressure against Iran’s influence in the region. The fate of the JCPOA remains uncertain as negotiations continue.
Original Source: en.mehrnews.com
