President Trump has asked President Putin to mediate discussions with Iran regarding its nuclear program and proxy forces. Following this request, key U.S. officials met with their Russian counterparts to discuss collaborative diplomatic efforts. However, Iran’s leadership has rejected negotiations with the U.S., maintaining its position amid strengthened Russia-Iran relations due to sanctions.
United States President Donald Trump has approached Russian President Vladimir Putin to mediate discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear program and its regional proxy forces. This request was reportedly made during a phone conversation on February 12. Following this, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed the collaboration during their meeting in Saudi Arabia on February 18.
In a related development, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Tehran the week following the U.S.-Russia talks, where he briefed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi about the discussions held with Washington. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the United States and Iran should address their issues through negotiations, with Moscow prepared to assist in this endeavor.
Since being inaugurated, President Trump has intensified sanctions on Iran under his “maximum pressure” policy while advocating for renewed negotiations. However, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has dismissed the prospect of talks with the U.S., a position supported by Iran’s moderate President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The political landscape has shifted as Russia and Iran have strengthened their ties, particularly in light of Western sanctions due to Russia’s actions in Ukraine and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Moreover, reports indicate that Russian missile specialists have conducted visits to Iran for undisclosed purposes. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful endeavors, despite Western concerns it may be pursuing nuclear weapons.
In summary, President Trump’s request for Russia to mediate talks with Iran reflects ongoing U.S. efforts to address concerns regarding its nuclear program amidst rising sanctions. While Russia is positioned to facilitate discussions, Iran’s leadership remains resistant to U.S. overtures, complicating diplomatic efforts. The deepening ties between Russia and Iran raise further questions about regional dynamics and international negotiations.
Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com
