Moscow (TDI): In an exclusive interview with CBS news, Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, said that Russia is ready to be helpful if US and Iran think so. Commenting on the nuclear talks between the two countries, which so far remain largely indecisive, FM Lavrov said that Russia welcomes such talks.
When asked if Russia will sever its relationship with Iran over US’s request, Lavrov said that no such requests have been made.
The interview, which was largely focused on war with Ukraine, a few questions on the Iran-US negotiations, received brief answers from the Russian FM.
When pressed on what would be Russia’s position if it has to “keep” Iran’s enriched uranium, the FM said “We are not putting our nose in the negotiations between the two countries, one of which is not Russia.”
Read More:Â High-Stakes Warning: US Tells Iran to Go Nuclear-Free
When the infamous Nuclear Deal was signed between Iran and US in 2015, Russia was one of the negotiators and agreed to “keep” Iran’s extra enriched nuclear material.
Reiterating Russia’s position, FM Lavrov said, “We welcome the dialogue between the U.S. and Iran. We would be certainly ready to help if both parties believe this is going to be useful. And they know that we are ready.”
Meanwhile, the third round of talks between Iran and US wrapped up on Saturday, April 26, in Oman. After the talks, both sides expressed “cautious positivity.”
The respective delegations were led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff.
Nuzhat Rana is the Managing Editor (website) at The Diplomatic Insight.
