Russian President Vladimir Putin Photo: Alexander Demyanchuk/TASS
Moscow has expressed its readiness to mediate between the United States and Iran to resolve tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Reuters reported this on Tuesday, citing an informed source who wished to remain anonymous. The Kremlin, in turn, assured that it would do everything possible to achieve a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
On the same day, the Russian TV channel Zvezda broadcast a statement by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to mediate in the nuclear arms talks between Tehran and Washington. At the same time, according to a Reuters source, Russia itself proposed this initiative, but has not yet received an official request from either side.
Iran’s mission to the UN in New York refrained from commenting on this information.
The news comes amid significant changes in US foreign policy since President Donald Trump took office in January. He is known for his pragmatic policy towards Moscow, including negotiations with the Kremlin to end the war in Ukraine, which has caused concern among Western allies.
On 24 February, Trump announced new sanctions against Iran’s oil sector, continuing his strategy of “maximum pressure” on Tehran. In his first presidential term, he reimposed sanctions aimed at weakening Iran’s economy and isolating it internationally. One of the key steps of his administration was the decision to withdraw the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Vienna Agreement.
Despite the harsh rhetoric of previous years, Trump is now declaring his readiness to negotiate with Tehran to control its nuclear programme. Whether Russia will become a key player in this diplomatic process remains an open question.
