Kremlin Says Iran's Nuclear Program is Part of Russia-US Negotiations

The Kremlin states that the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be part of negotiations between Russia and the United States. Russian experts, referring to the participation of Steve Vitkoff, the US Special Representative for Middle East Affairs, in the Russia-US negotiations regarding Ukraine, believe that issues concerning Ukraine and the Middle East are being examined 'as a package.' Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, told reporters on Wednesday, March 6, that from Russia's perspective, resolving all existing issues surrounding Iran's nuclear program through political-diplomatic means is 'the best solution.' He added, 'We believe there is such capacity, as Iran is our partner and ally, a country with which we have comprehensive and mutually beneficial relations, and we are expanding these relations based on mutual respect.' Peskov emphasized that 'Moscow is ready to use all its capabilities, and Washington is aware of this position.' A day before these comments from the Kremlin spokesman, Bloomberg reported that the Russian government had agreed to assist Donald Trump in establishing communication with Iran regarding issues such as the nuclear program and Iran's regional activities. Last month, Donald Trump resumed a maximum pressure approach to compel Tehran to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Iran has consistently denied pursuing a military nuclear program. In response to Bloomberg's report, Dmitry Peskov answered reporters' questions in a way that some interpreted as confirmation and others as denial. After the Russian Defense Ministry's television network 'Zvezda' quoted Peskov about negotiations between Moscow and Washington regarding Iran's nuclear program, the TASS news agency, citing the same Russian official's remarks, stated that 'no such negotiations have taken place.' Peskov clarified in an interview with TASS: 'I generally said that Vladimir Putin has always emphasized the necessity of resolving the Iranian nuclear issue peacefully, and Russia, as an ally and partner of Iran, is ready to assist in this process.' Peskov stated during a press conference on Wednesday that 'the issue of Iran has been discussed but without details. This topic is generally on the agenda of negotiations.' According to Bloomberg, citing Russian sources who wished to remain anonymous, during a phone call last month between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, the Russian President agreed to 'mediate' in the negotiations between the US and Iran, and this issue was discussed two weeks ago in the first high-level talks between Russian and American officials in three years. In an official Kremlin statement, Iran's nuclear program was mentioned as one of the focal points of the phone call between the Russian and American presidents. Additionally, the RIA Novosti news agency reported, citing Yuri Ushakov, the international assistant to the Russian President, that Iran's nuclear program was 'addressed' in the Russia-US negotiations in Riyadh, and the parties agreed to hold a separate meeting to discuss further details. Ismail Baqaei, the spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated on Monday at a press conference that it is natural for countries to offer assistance. Last week, Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, claimed during the visit of Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, to Tehran that his Russian counterpart 'did not carry any specific message from the US,' but informed sources told Bloomberg that Mr. Lavrov shared details of negotiations with the American delegation in Saudi Arabia during this visit. Lavrov stated in Tehran that 'it is essential to use diplomatic tools without any threats of force and pressure.' He added that 'the West' is responsible for the recent crisis regarding Iran's nuclear program, not Tehran. Lavrov, who has recently targeted the West and 'especially' the US with sharp criticism, has recently used the term 'the West' for sharp criticisms of the European Union and has notably shifted from his previous stance by calling the US a 'constructive force.' This is while in previous years, following the US withdrawal from the JCPOA during Donald Trump's first term, this action was always condemned by Russia. Russian diplomats also played an active role in preserving the JCPOA during the 1+4 negotiations with Iran before the onset of the war against Ukraine, but after the war began and harsh sanctions were imposed on Russia, these negotiations effectively stalled due to Moscow's new demands. In recent weeks, we have witnessed a significant transformation in US-Russia relations. Donald Trump, who promised to stop the war against Ukraine 'in one day,' has pressured Ukraine to accept Kremlin demands and has called for increased cooperation with Russia. Many Russian analysts believe that the US seeks to expand interactions with Russia to 'reduce the level of Moscow's relations with Beijing,' and although they consider this transformation unlikely, they believe that Russia will use the US's change of position to strengthen its role in the Middle East. Russian experts, referring to the participation of Steve Vitkoff, the US Special Representative for Middle East Affairs, in the Russia-US negotiations regarding Ukraine, believe that issues concerning Ukraine and the Middle East are being examined 'as a package.' Following the onset of the war against Ukraine and Tehran's military support for Moscow, the relations between the two countries have transformed unprecedentedly. Recently, the Presidents of Russia and Iran signed a twenty-year treaty to expand strategic cooperation. On Tuesday, March 5, 'Kommersant' assessed Russia's role in a comprehensive analysis of issues surrounding Iran's nuclear program as 'positive.' Anton Khlopkov, an expert on Iran's nuclear program, expressed confidence in an interview with this Russian newspaper that 'Russia possesses all technical and diplomatic tools to mediate in resolving this issue, especially since the failure of diplomacy will negatively impact Russia's national security.' However, he stated, 'The final decision rests with Washington and Tehran, and whether the US and Iran have such will is questionable.' 'Kommersant,' referring to Ali Khamenei's explicit opposition to negotiations with the US, wrote that it is unclear how Tehran would welcome Washington's messages through Moscow.