Russia: We Accept Iran's Statement that 'It is Not Seeking to Build Nuclear Weapons'

The spokesperson for the Kremlin stated that Iran has the right to peaceful nuclear energy and is 'acting in accordance with international laws.' Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday, March 21, that Moscow has accepted Iran's claim that it 'does not intend to acquire nuclear weapons.' Iran's nuclear program was one of the topics discussed in a lengthy phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, the presidents of the United States and Russia, last week, after which the White House announced that the two leaders 'share the common view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel.' Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons and considers its nuclear program 'peaceful.' However, following the first Trump administration's withdrawal from the so-called 'JCPOA' in May 2018, Tehran has deviated from its commitments under the agreement and accelerated its uranium enrichment. The International Atomic Energy Agency recently warned that Tehran has significantly increased its uranium enrichment to 60%, which is close to the 90% required for nuclear weapons production. Why does Russia want to mediate between Tehran and Washington? The second Trump administration has revived a 'maximum pressure' policy on Iran since taking office in January, while simultaneously expressing a willingness to negotiate with the Islamic Republic to encourage its officials to reach a new nuclear agreement. The U.S. president has sent a letter to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, the contents of which have not yet been disclosed. However, Axios reported, citing an American official and two informed sources, that Mr. Trump has given Tehran a two-month deadline to reach a new nuclear agreement with Washington. Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, also stated on March 20 that Trump's letter has more of a 'threatening aspect' but contains 'opportunities' that Tehran will consider and will respond to soon. The Russian Foreign Minister stated on March 11 that there are indications that the U.S. wants the future nuclear agreement with Iran to include regional issues and Iran's non-support for groups in the region. According to Sergey Lavrov, the United States has demanded that Iran stop supporting certain groups in the Middle East as a 'precondition for a new nuclear agreement.' On the other hand, various media outlets around the world have reported in recent weeks on Russia's intention to mediate between Iran and the U.S. According to these reports, the U.S. president has asked Moscow to help establish communication with Tehran to control its nuclear program and regional activities. The Kremlin has also stated that it seeks to resolve disputes between Washington and Tehran through dialogue. Meanwhile, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, has rejected any negotiations with the second Trump administration, claiming that this would 'tighten the knot of sanctions.' Iran, along with Russia, is under the most severe sanctions in the world and is grappling with widespread economic problems, in addition to rising prices of various goods and services, witnessing a rapid increase in foreign currency prices, such that the value of each U.S. dollar reached about 100,000 tomans by the end of the year 1403.