Iran, Russia Discuss Nuclear, Energy Cooperation
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The foreign ministers of Iran and Russia in a meeting in Moscow discussed a range of issues, including closer cooperation between the two sides in the nuclear industry and energy sector.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov met in Moscow on Wednesday.
In the gathering, the top diplomats weighed plans to promote political and economic cooperation between Iran and Russia, as well as enhanced interaction in the nuclear energy industry, oil and gas industries, transportation, agriculture, tourism industry and cultural programs.
They also talked about major regional and international issues, including the developments in Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Venezuela and Libya.
Moreover, Zarif and Lavrov discussed the latest developments surrounding the 2015 nuclear deal and details of Tehran’s latest move in response to the US breach of the accord.
Zarif also submitted to Lavrov a letter from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On Wednesday, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council announced that Tehran will stop honoring certain commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, which had already been scrapped by the US.
At a cabinet session on Wednesday morning, Rouhani said the five remaining parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany- have been informed of Tehran’s decision to refuse to continue honoring two commitments under the deal.
He said Iran stops selling any enriched uranium above the 300-kg limit in exchange for yellow cake and also stops selling its heavy water above the limit of 130 tons.
The president also announced that the JCPOA parties will have 60 days to come to the negotiating table and fulfill Iran’s main interests under the nuclear deal, especially regarding oil sales and banking interaction.
If Iran does not achieve the desired results after 60 days, it will take two more measures and stop observing the limit on uranium enrichment to 3.67 percent purity, he added.
The president said Iran will also make a new decision about its Arak heavy water reactor –which was planned to be renovated with the participation of the JCPOA parties- after the 60-day deadline.
Rouhani also threatened that Iran will take a “decisive measure” if the JCPOA parties would intend to send Iran’s nuclear case to the UN Security Council.
“We will not start breaching commitments and waging any war, but we will not give in to bullying, either, and will give a decisive response to any aggressor,” the president underlined.
Iran’s announcement comes a year after US President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the agreement, which was signed in 2015.
