Foreign Ministers of Iran, Russia, and Turkey to Meet in Moscow

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, will meet with Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian Foreign Minister, and Mevlut Cavusoglu, the Turkish Foreign Minister, in Moscow in two days. The situation in Syria and the future of the nuclear agreement, known as the JCPOA, between Iran and Russia will be discussed. Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated on Thursday: "In addition to the situation in Syria and delivering humanitarian aid to this country, Sergey Lavrov and Mohammad Javad Zarif will discuss the confirmed cooperation programs between Vladimir Putin and Hassan Rouhani, the presidents of the two countries." Ms. Zakharova also mentioned that the next steps for the implementation and future of the nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA will also be reviewed between the two countries. Maria Zakharova said that the three European countries, Britain, France, and Germany, which were part of the complex negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear activities, have now changed their position, and Moscow does not understand the motivation behind this change. The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry stated: "The nuclear agreement is still the same as it was, and Iran is still correctly implementing the agreement, but what has happened to these countries, especially the European countries, that has caused them to change their position? With what logic has Washington been able to engage in dialogue with these countries and change their views?" After Donald Trump, the President of the United States, labeled the nuclear agreement with Iran as a "bad deal" and called for changes, the three European countries attempted to take steps to keep the U.S. in the JCPOA framework. Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, had previously stated in China that Russia and China would "prevent any sabotage against the JCPOA." Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, had said in Washington that he presented a proposal to Donald Trump to preserve the JCPOA and hoped that this agreement would be maintained. However, he later stated that due to some internal issues, Donald Trump would likely "free himself from this agreement." The U.S. claims that the JCPOA only addresses Iran's nuclear issues and does not mention Iran's presence in other regional countries and its ballistic missile activities. Emmanuel Macron stated on Wednesday in front of members of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the U.S. that France would not exit the JCPOA because it has signed it. Donald Trump has set a deadline of May 12 for the "deficiencies of the JCPOA" to be corrected; otherwise, he will not extend the suspension of sanctions against Iran based on the JCPOA. Donald Trump has outlined four conditions for the U.S. to continue its participation in the JCPOA, which include "immediate access" for international inspectors to all Iranian locations and facilities, making restrictions on Iran's nuclear program permanent, ensuring that Iran does not approach nuclear weapons, and limiting Iran's ballistic missile program. Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian Foreign Minister, in an interview published by the Associated Press on Wednesday, stated that if the U.S. withdraws from the JCPOA, Iran may exit the NPT. According to reports from news agencies including Itar-Tass, Interfax, France, and Radio Farda; K.T./S. The same ground: Trump administration officials: The U.S. is seeking a complementary agreement with Iran. Macron: I think Trump will exit the JCPOA. Emmanuel Macron: Iran must not under any circumstances acquire nuclear weapons. Diplomats from the three European countries: We are close to preserving the nuclear agreement with Iran.