MOSCOW/PARIS: Russian President Vladimir Putin told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in a phone call on Tuesday that Iran has a “right” to develop a peaceful nuclear programme, the Kremlin said.
Putin emphasised “the lawful right of Tehran in developing a peaceful nuclear (programme)”, according to the Kremlin transcript of the call between Putin and Macron.
The Kremlin said both presidents agreed that the conflict over Iran’s nuclear programme and other Middle Eastern conflicts should be solved “exclusively” by diplomatic means and that the two leaders would “continue contacts” on this.
The French statement added that on Iran, “the two presidents decided to coordinate their efforts and to speak soon in order to follow up together on this issue”.
The talks came after a ceasefire last week ended a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel.
Macron “emphasised the urgent need” for Iran to comply with its obligations under the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty “in particular by cooperating fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whose inspectors must be able to resume their work without delay,” the statement said.
“He expressed his determination to seek a diplomatic solution that would allow for a lasting and demanding settlement of the nuclear issue, the question of Iran’s missiles and its role in the region.”
EU ready to facilitate Iran nuclear talks
The EU’s top diplomat told Iran’s foreign minister on Tuesday that Brussels is willing to facilitate a return to negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme after US and Israeli strikes.
“Negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme should restart as soon as possible” and “cooperation” with the IAEA must resume, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas wrote on X after a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
“The EU is ready to facilitate this.”
Kallas further warned Tehran that “any threats to pull out of the non-proliferation treaty don’t help to lower tensions.”
The call came after Aragchi ruled out a quick resumption of talks with the United States and said Tehran will first need assurances it will not be attacked again.
The United States and Iran were holding nuclear talks when Israel hit Iranian nuclear sites and military infrastructure.
The United States joined the assault by bombing three nuclear sites — Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan — on June 21.
The EU has long sought to play a mediation role with Iran.
The 27-nation bloc was a signatory — and facilitator — of a 2015 deal between Iran and international powers over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
US President Donald Trump abandoned that deal in 2018. – Agencies
