**Russia Denies Putin Encouraged Iran to Accept Zero Enrichment Nuclear Deal**
In a statement released on July 13, Russia’s Foreign Ministry dismissed as “defamation” reports claiming that President Vladimir Putin had privately encouraged Iran to accept a “zero enrichment” agreement regarding its nuclear program. The denial came in response to a report by US news outlet Axios, which cited anonymous sources saying that Putin had “encouraged” Iran to agree to a deal with the United States that would prevent the Islamic Republic from enriching uranium.
According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry, the article is “a new political defamation campaign aimed at exacerbating tensions around Iran’s nuclear program.” The ministry emphasized that Russia has consistently emphasized the necessity of resolving the crisis concerning Iran’s nuclear program through diplomatic means and expressed its willingness to help find mutually acceptable solutions. This statement suggests that Russia is trying to distance itself from any accusations of pushing Iran towards a zero-enrichment deal.
The situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear program has been tense in recent months, with Western countries and Israel suspecting Tehran of seeking to develop a nuclear weapon. However, Iran denies these claims, defending its “non-negotiable” right to develop a civilian nuclear program. Russia has maintained a cordial relationship with Iran’s leadership and provides crucial backing for Tehran.
However, this dynamic has been scrutinized in recent months, particularly after the United States joined Israel’s bombing campaign in June. While Moscow has publicly defended Tehran’s right to use nuclear technology for civilian purposes, Putin has also cultivated closer ties with US President Donald Trump. The recent escalation in the region saw Israel launch an unprecedented attack on Iran on June 13, initiating a 12-day war.
The situation further intensified on June 22, when the United States bombed the underground uranium enrichment site at Fordo, south of Tehran, as well as nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Natanz. The exact extent of the damage from these strikes remains unknown. In light of this, Russia’s denial of pushing Iran towards a zero-enrichment deal seems to be an attempt to maintain its neutrality and avoid further escalation.
**What does it mean?**
Russia’s denial of pushing Iran towards a zero-enrichment deal suggests that Moscow is trying to maintain its relationship with Tehran without taking sides in the escalating tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. However, this move may also be seen as an attempt by Russia to distance itself from any potential blame for exacerbating these tensions.
As Russia continues to cultivate closer ties with both US President Donald Trump and Iranian leadership, it remains unclear what implications this has for the region. One thing is certain, however: the situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear program is more complex than ever, and the diplomatic efforts required to resolve it will be more challenging than previously thought.
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