Commanding the world’s largest confirmed arsenal of nuclear weapons, Russia has deepened its military ties with Iran since it launched its offensive on Ukraine in February 2022. Iran’s Foreign Minister has cast doubts over the intentions of the United States a day before a second round of nuclear talks is set to take place with Washington.

The new round will come a week after the two countries held their highest-level negotiations since US President Donald Trump unilaterally abandoned a landmark nuclear deal in 2018. Iran has since abandoned all limits on its nuclear programme and enriches uranium to up to 60 percent purity – near weapons-grade levels of 90 percent.

Source: aljazeera

Mr. Aragchi said during a press conference in Moscow, ‘Although we have serious doubts about the intentions and motivations of the American side, in any case we will participate in tomorrow’s negotiations.’ Mr. Aragchi, on 19th April, had set off to Rome for a fresh round of Omani-mediated talks with U.S. West Asia envoy Steve Witkoff. He said “We are fully prepared to pursue a peaceful resolution for Iran’s peaceful nuclear programme.”

Mr. Aragchi sought support from Russia over a peaceful deal and said he briefed Mr. Lavrov on the first round of talks. Mr. Aragchi praised Russia’s role in Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers that led to lifting of sanctions in return for Tehran’s cap on its nuclear activities. Mr. Lavrov said Moscow was ready ‘to play any role that will be useful from Iran’s point of view and that will be acceptable to the United States.’