Putin: Significant Progress Achieved in Negotiations with Iran

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, stated that nuclear negotiations with Iran are "going well" and that "significant progress" has been made in these talks. However, he emphasized that a "comprehensive and final solution" regarding this issue or a "vision for lifting sanctions" against Tehran has not yet been reached. In an interview with the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram published on Monday, February 20, he stressed the necessity of "continuing efforts" in this area. Russia insists on Iran's "right" to continue its peaceful nuclear program, including uranium enrichment, under the supervision and inspection of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a point that Putin reiterated in his conversation with Al-Ahram. The Russian President stated, "The important point is that no one should exploit the situation unilaterally or negotiate for anything more than what is necessary to reach a balanced and fair solution to this complex issue." Iran and the P5+1 group, which includes the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia, have twice extended the deadline for reaching a comprehensive and final agreement since the interim Geneva agreement in November 2013. They set July 1, 2015, as the deadline for achieving this agreement, but first, they must reach a political agreement on the generalities to continue negotiations by April 4 of the coming year. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, has called for an agreement on the generalities and details to be made in one phase with clear and unambiguous provisions. However, hours after these remarks, John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated that any extension of nuclear negotiations with Iran after April 4 is off the table unless the framework and outline of an agreement are specified by then. Kerry has had several intensive discussions with Mohammad Javad Zarif, his Iranian counterpart, in recent days. After the latest round of these sessions, Zarif stated that "now" is the time for a final agreement with Iran regarding its nuclear program but warned that the condition for this agreement is "respect for Iran." In this context, Amano called for increased cooperation from Iran with the Agency. Netanyahu: I will continue international efforts against the nuclear agreement with Iran. The nuclear agreement and internal struggles in Iran and the U.S. Changing the game for "proxies"; war against the people in the streets of Iran. The first paragraph; the responsibility of the opposition and the possibility of radicalizing Iranian society. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iran crisis. Two weeks after a complete blackout, the time for reconnecting the internet in Iran is still "uncertain." The shadow of war over Tehran; "Trump is looking for decisive military options against Iran." Trump says if the Islamic Republic attempts to assassinate him, it will be "wiped off the face of the earth." A senior U.S. official: The Trump administration is closely monitoring the case of Reza Valizadeh. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iran crisis.