Moscow (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Wednesday, Russia said it’s ready to remove nuclear materials from Iran and convert them into fuel, which could help bridge the gap between the US and Iran over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme.
Iran claims it has the right to peaceful nuclear power. Still, its rapidly advancing uranium enrichment programme has sparked concerns in the West and across the Middle East that it’s trying to develop a nuclear weapon.
How could Russia help bridge US-Iran nuclear gaps?
According to the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin informed Trump during a phone call that Russia was prepared to leverage its close partnership with Iran to facilitate negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who handles arms control and US relations, told Russian media on Wednesday that efforts to find a solution should be stepped up, and that Moscow was open to helping with ideas and practical support.
What role will Russia play in Iran talks?
“We are ready to provide assistance to both Washington and Tehran, not only politically, not only in the form of ideas that could be of use in the negotiation process but also practically: for example, through the export of excess nuclear material produced by Iran and its subsequent adaptation to the production of fuel for reactors,” Ryabkov stated.
Why is uranium enrichment at the heart of the dispute?
The dispute between Washington and Tehran centres on what will happen to Iran’s uranium enrichment. While Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei insists Iran cannot stop enriching, U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran cannot be let to build nuclear weapons.
The US wants Iran to ship out all its highly enriched uranium (HEU). Tehran, however, claims it should only send out any excess amount that exceeds a limit set in a 2015 deal.
As the world’s largest nuclear power, Russia doesn’t want Iran to develop nuclear weapons. However, it believes Iran has the right to establish its own civilian nuclear programme and that any military action against it would be unlawful and unacceptable. Russia has also purchased weapons from Iran for use in Ukraine, and earlier this year, Tehran and Moscow signed a 20-year strategic partnership agreement.
