Russia Expresses Hope for Reconciliation between Iran and Azerbaijan, Lavrov Says
Date
3/30/2023 4:10:23 AM
(MENAFN) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed hope for reconciliation between Iran and Azerbaijan during a news conference on Wednesday, following a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Lavrov said that Russia is ready to provide all necessary assistance for the reconciliation between the two countries and hopes that the current friction in their relations is temporary and will be overcome soon.
Lavrov also discussed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, saying that Russia follows the contacts taking place between Iranian colleagues and Europeans and Americans. He added that he hopes these contacts will bring about the resumption of full-fledged implementation of the agreements on Iran's nuclear program. Lavrov reiterated that the world is still waiting for the US to fulfill its obligations under the nuclear deal, including lifting all illegal sanctions against Iran.
The Iran nuclear deal was signed in 2015 between Iran and the permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany and the EU. Under the deal, Iran pledged to limit nuclear research that may be used in arms production, while the Western countries obliged to lift sanctions in return. However, former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew Washington from the landmark agreement in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate by taking steps away from its nuclear-related commitments.
During the news conference, Lavrov also discussed the situation in Ukraine with his Iranian counterpart and welcomed Tehran's "balanced position." He pointed to the subversive line taken by NATO countries, which have been involved in the conflict for a long time and are being drawn deeper and deeper into it. Lavrov accused the West of pursuing its own geopolitical interests in the war and not wanting to stop it. He was responding to remarks by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said proposals for an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine could be a “cynical trap.”
Lavrov claimed that the West sees its own geopolitical interests in the war and is primarily attempting to eliminate Russia as a competitor on the world scene. The Russian minister added that the West is practically fighting on the side of the Kyiv regime. The situation in Ukraine remains tense, and it is unclear what the outcome of the conflict will be.
MENAFN30032023000045014228ID1105905508
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.