WANA (Mar 12) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed concern over indications that the U.S. seeks a new agreement on Iran’s nuclear program with political conditions attached.

 

In an interview, Lavrov stated: “Russia and its partners have discussed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action regarding Iran’s nuclear issue. We advocate for restoring the original agreement that the Americans withdrew from during the first Trump administration. There have been some contacts on the European side.”

 

He further added: “We support resuming the format that developed the original agreement approved by the UN Security Council, which includes France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, China, and Iran. We will see how things progress.”

 

The Russian foreign minister emphasized: “What is concerning, however, is the indication that the Americans want this new agreement to come with political conditions. They insist on a verifiable arrangement that ensures Iran does not support groups in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, or anywhere else. I don’t think that will lead anywhere.”

 

When asked whether Iran has a role in the Ukraine peace negotiations, Lavrov responded: “Look, all the Gulf countries have influence beyond the borders of their kingdoms, the UAE, and North Africa. They run numerous humanitarian and economic programs and act as mediators in various situations. Take Sudan, for example. The Sudanese internal crisis is, in a way, being managed by some Gulf players. So, to say that everyone except Iran has the right to exert influence does not seem realistic to me.”