Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks in Moscow on Tuesday on the Iranian nuclear file and possible means to cement bilateral cooperation against mounting American pressure.
Speaking at a press conference, Lavrov denounced the United States’ “unacceptable” policy of resorting to every possible instrument to put pressure on Iran after Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
He told reporters that the US move against Iran lacks a legal basis and that Russia will “do everything” to preserve the nuclear deal. Moreover, he said US plans to extend an arms embargo on Iran "contravene international law."
He added that the economic and commercial ties with Iran are developing, despite the US sanctions. Further, Lavrov expressed insistence on confronting the US policy against Tehran, which he says undermines stability in the region, specifically, and the world, in general.
For his part, Zarif said: “The job of the Trump administration is to exit international agreements and organizations.”
The FM said that the nuclear deal was the key issue in talks with his Russian counterpart. He further criticized the latest report published by the International Atomic Energy Agency, which he saw as a result of pressure.
The two ministers signed a joint agreement to reinforce international law against unilateral steps. A source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the agreement is a symbolic message to Washington and the West that Russia and Iran insist on facing the US policy in the region.
