Russia backs Iran’s right to a peaceful nuclear program

THE NEW ARAB

Iran has the right to peaceful atomic energy and is acting in line with international law, the Kremlin said on Friday as the United States and Israel prepare for high-level talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme next week.

Russia has said it is ready to mediate between Iran, with which it signed a strategic partnership treaty in January that includes closer defence cooperation, and the administration of US President Donald Trump, with which it is moving rapidly to improve ties.

Iran was one of the topics discussed in a long phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, after which the White House said the two leaders “shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel”.

At a briefing with reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked how Russia would respond if the US or Israel resorted to attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

“We are convinced that the problem of Iran’s nuclear programme should be resolved exclusively by peaceful political and diplomatic means, and we believe that everything necessary is available for this. All that is needed is political will,” Peskov said…