MOSCOW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has reiterated Moscow’s support for Iran’s right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, rejecting renewed pressure from the United States over Tehran’s nuclear programme, according to media reports.
Lavrov said Iran, as a sovereign state and a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), is entitled to develop a civilian nuclear programme. “Iran has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes,” he was quoted as saying.
The statement comes as the Trump administration intensifies diplomatic and economic pressure on Iran, urging it to limit its nuclear activities and regional influence. Washington has expressed concern over Iran’s uranium enrichment levels, which have risen beyond limits set under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The United States withdrew from the agreement in 2018.
Russia has consistently argued that the Iranian nuclear issue should be resolved through multilateral negotiations rather than sanctions or military pressure. Lavrov’s remarks reaffirm Moscow’s long-standing position in support of a diplomatic settlement.
Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and aimed at energy generation and medical applications. It has rejected demands to halt enrichment, calling them politically motivated.
Analysts say Russia’s support for Iran reflects broader geopolitical interests, including strengthening bilateral ties amid Western sanctions and maintaining influence in Middle Eastern and Eurasian security affairs.
The development highlights continuing differences between Washington and Moscow over Iran’s nuclear programme, even as tensions persist across multiple global flashpoints.
