Russia, Iran ready to revive nuclear talks

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Russia and Iran on Thursday expressed their readiness to revive and finalize the nuclear deal talks with both countries vowing to boost regional ties.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Iran on Wednesday on a trip aimed at boosting trade and energy cooperation. Both Tehran and Moscow boast of significant oil and gas reserves but are restricted by international sanctions. 

Speaking at a joint presser with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Thursday, both officials touched upon a variety of topics including the nuclear deal and the situation in Syria.

The Iranian foreign minister expressed his hope to return to and finalize the nuclear talks that have been stalling over the past few months.

“I hope we can bring the talks train back to the right track … I hope the train will move again,” Abdollahian stated.

“In order to have a good deal we have to make sure that the talks are sustainable,” he added while reiterating his hopes to finalize the efforts that were initiated in April of last year.

The nuclear talks in Vienna aimed at restoring the 2015 nuclear deal took a pause in March after Russia demanded guarantees that the sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine would not affect a nuclear deal with Iran. Talks resumed shortly after but have been derailing over Iranian demands for the removal of all US sanctions.

Lavrov claimed the US was trying to portray itself as the leader in the nuclear talk, stating that Washington has “delayed this process unilaterally.”

He echoed his counterpart’s remarks, stating Russia was willing to resume the talks with the “full cancellation of illegal sanctions” as the final aim.

Washington has repeatedly argued that Tehran’s demand for the lifting of sanctions on its Revolutionary Guards was a separate issue to the nuclear talks, also formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Earlier this month, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution censuring Iran over its failure to provide an explanation for the discovery of enriched uranium at three sites that it did not declare. In response, Abdollahian said they had disconnected 27 IAEA cameras that were monitoring the nuclear sites.

Recent attacks on Syria

Lavrov called on all countries to abide by the UN Security Council Resolution 2254 which called for a ceasefire and a settlement of the Syrian civil war between the government and opposition groups.

The Russian official urged foreign counties to put an end to the violations on the war-torn country, alluding to the frequent strikes carried out by Israel.

An airstrike targeting Damascus airport on June 10 caused extensive damage to the runways, putting the airport out of service for almost two weeks.

“We launched an appeal with Israel,” Lavrov stated, adding that the strike had stopped the delivery of humanitarian supplies by air.

Russia and Iran are part of wider trilateral talks with Turkey in the Astana process, aimed at enforcing the UN resolution. The last round of talks took place last week in the Kazakh capital of Nur-Sultan. The two leaders did not touch upon Ankara’s threats to launch a renewed military incursion into northern Syria, though Russia has previously voiced its opposition to the plan.

Moscow and Tehran have been the key backers of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, solidifying his control over power despite an 11-year-long war. Diverging visions of a post-war Syria exist between the two and though Iranian forces played a crucial war in Russia’s military support of regime forces, it remains wary of the increasing influence of Iranian-backed non-state actors in the country.

Regional cooperation

Iran and Israel have been engaged in a shadow war that has recently intensified following a series of high-profile assassinations blamed on Israel. Iranian fighters are also frequently targeted in suspected Israeli strikes in Damascus.

Lavrov said there was “inconsistency” in US foreign policy and that Russia was closely following what he referred to as the US plans to form a bloc between Israel and Arab countries “against Iran.”

He claimed that through this, the US was “fermenting conflict and trying to divide” the region. He called for joint efforts between regional actors to achieve safety and stability instead.

His comments come ahead of US President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel, the West Bank, and Saudi Arabia next month. Barbara Leaf, top US diplomat for the Middle East, said the Biden administration was looking to encourage stronger cooperation between Israel and Arab countries during the regional visit, AFP reported.