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Blinken says Russia and US have ‘shared curiosity’ in stopping a nuclear Iran
MEE workers
Thu, 12/02/2021 – 17:05
The highest US diplomat advised his Russian counterpart on Thursday that the 2 international locations have a typical curiosity in stopping Iran from buying nuclear weapons.
“We’ve shared pursuits that we’re engaged on collectively, together with a shared curiosity in Iran not buying a nuclear weapon,” Secretary of State Anthony Blinken advised a gathering of international ministers for a European cooperation convention in Stockholm, Sweden.
Blinken held a tense assembly with Russian International Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the summit the place the 2 mentioned elevating tensions in Ukraine amidst issues that Russia could launch an invasion of the nation.
Regardless of the tensions, Blinken mentioned the US and Russia have been “working collectively” on the ongoing talks in Vienna aimed toward restoring the 2015 nuclear deal.
Russia was one of many 5 signatories to the accord meant to curb and monitor Iran’s nuclear exercise. The Trump administration pulled out of the settlement in 2018 and imposed debilitating sanctions on Tehran.
Since then, Iran has regularly expanded its nuclear exercise, growing its technical capabilities and enriching Uranium past the bounds of the 2015 deal.
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The UN nuclear watchdog mentioned on Wednesday that Iran has began producing enriched uranium with superior centrifuges at its Fordow plant dug right into a mountain, elevating issues amongst western diplomats over Tehran’s dedication to reaching a deal.
Iran says its nuclear programme is peaceable and has referred to as for the elimination of all financial sanctions instantly, because it blames the West for failing to stay as much as the 2015 settlement.
Russia is seen as supportive of the Iranian place that ensures be supplied in opposition to any US withdrawal from a future settlement and the elimination of all sanctions that violate the 2015 deal.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi held a name discussing US sanctions earlier than the talks started in Vienna. Earlier this yr, Iran joined the Chinese language and Russian-led Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
Moscow and Tehran have discovered themselves aligned on many regional points, most notably their assist for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Russian air assist, together with floor forces equipped by Iran and its proxies are broadly credited with turning the Syrian battle in Assad’s favour.
Russia additionally maintains ties with Tehran’s regional foes. In August, it signed a navy cooperation settlement with Saudi Arabia, and Putin has positioned himself as an ally of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been ostracised in Washington over the 2018 homicide of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
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