Russia: Iran's Nuclear Issue Must Be Resolved Diplomatically and All Parties Should Exercise Restraint

The spokesperson for the Kremlin says that Iran's nuclear issue should be resolved through political and diplomatic means and called on all parties to exercise restraint. Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday, April 15, "We believe that the problem of Iran's nuclear issue should only be addressed and resolved with political and diplomatic tools." He added, "Of course, we believe that all parties must exercise absolute restraint in this regard and focus specifically on diplomatic efforts when discussing issues." Mr. Peskov also pointed out that Russia is working to revive its relations with the United States, emphasizing that "Iran is also our partner and ally with whom we have very developed and multifaceted relations." Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has threatened that if Iran does not negotiate for a new agreement regarding its nuclear program with the U.S., secondary sanctions will be imposed on it, and Iran will be "bombed." Moscow has suggested mediating between the United States and Iran. Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar considers an agreement between Tehran and Washington unlikely due to major differences between the two countries. He stated in an interview with the French newspaper "Le Figaro" that Israel's goal is to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power and will strive for that. The Israeli Foreign Minister said, "We are at a historic moment where, thanks to the consensus of the international community, a real opportunity has arisen to achieve this goal," adding, "This determination also exists among Americans and French." The French Foreign Minister warned on April 13 in the parliament that if negotiations regarding Tehran's nuclear program fail, military confrontation with Iran will be "almost inevitable." Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also stated in an interview on Friday, referring to Trump's threats of a potential military attack on Iran, that "diplomacy is essential to resolve this dispute, and Ankara does not want to witness any attack on its neighboring country, Iran." In the past month, leaders of Iran and the U.S. have exchanged letters, and officials of the Islamic Republic say they are ready for indirect negotiations with the United States. Despite Trump claiming he wants direct negotiations with Iran, reports indicate that Washington is "seriously considering indirect negotiations with Iran." Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Russia has expanded its relations with Tehran and signed a strategic partnership treaty with Iran last January. Since the beginning of his second term in January this year, Trump has reinstated the "maximum pressure" policy from his first term against Iran. He withdrew from the nuclear agreement of six world powers with Iran, known as the JCPOA, in May 2018 and reinstated sanctions against Tehran. The U.S. President and other Washington allies, especially Israel, say that Iran should not acquire nuclear weapons. Tehran has denied efforts in this regard and states that its program has peaceful goals, which Russia claims it has the right to pursue.