TEHRAN, Iran: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of direct negotiations with the United States on Tehran’s nuclear programme, stating that talks would not take place as long as Washington’s “maximum pressure” policy remains in effect.
“We will coordinate our positions on the nuclear issue in cooperation with our friends in Russia and China. Iran’s stance on the nuclear negotiations is crystal clear: We will not negotiate under pressure, threat, or sanctions,” he said at a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.
“Therefore, there will be no possibility of direct negotiations between us and the United States on the nuclear issue as long as ‘maximum pressure’ is enforced in its current form,” he added.
The statement comes a day after the United States imposed a fresh round of sanctions targeting Iran’s oil industry.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on his part, said he had “extensive, useful, and constructive” discussions with the Iranian foreign minister in Tehran.
He hoped a joint economic cooperation commission would be established this year to streamline trade transactions between Russia and Iran.
He added Moscow expects the agreement on free trade between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Iran to take force in the near future, which will drive up trade turnover.
“Our contacts continue in the multisided format as well, first of all in the context of Iran being granted a Eurasian Economic Union observer status,” he said.
“We expect the intergovernmental agreement on free trade between members of the Eurasian Economic Union and Iran to take force in the near future. This will surely drive up trade turnover throughout our space with Iranian neighbours,” the minister added.
“Despite the well-known illegal sanctions’ restrictions, our trade demonstrates positive dynamics. Last year trade turnover grew by more than 13 percent. There is every reason to suppose that this trend will persist,” Lavrov said.
🔴 #LIVE: Remarks and answers to media questions by Russia’s FM Sergey Lavrov and Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi following talks https://t.co/LOTcOHMuMo
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) February 25, 2025
Lavrov in Tehran for talks on global issues
Lavrov arrived in Tehran on Tuesday for talks with Araghchi and other senior officials on a range of topics including bilateral relations, regional developments, and the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major powers.
The nuclear deal collapsed after Washington withdrew it during President Donald Trump’s first term in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. After his return to office this year, Trump reinstated his policy of “maximum pressure” against Iran.
The visit follows a trip by Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian to Moscow on January 17, where he met with President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders signed a comprehensive strategic agreement to further expand cooperation between Tehran and Moscow.
As part of their strategic partnership, Iran and Russia have agreed to work together to mitigate the impacts of coercive economic measures by the US and its European allies.
Meanwhile Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in an interview with IRNA emphasised the importance of strong relations and partnership with Iran for Russia, adding that Russian officials are eager to assist in resolving significant issues, including the nuclear program.
He said that the cooperation between Iran and Russia is independent of the relations between the Kremlin and the White House.
When asked about Moscow’s stance on Iran’s nuclear programme, Peskov said that Russian authorities believe a diplomatic solution is possible if there is political will from all parties involved.
