On Sunday, the Russian Foreign Ministry labeled as “defamation” reports suggesting that President Vladimir Putin had urged Iran to agree to a “zero enrichment” deal regarding its nuclear program.
According to a Saturday report by the U.S. news outlet Axios, which referenced three unnamed sources familiar with the discussions, Putin had “encouraged” Iran to reach an agreement with the United States that would halt uranium enrichment activities by the Islamic Republic.
The Russian Foreign Ministry responded, stating, “The article appears to be part of a new political defamation effort designed to heighten tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities.”
The ministry emphasized, “We have consistently and repeatedly stressed the importance of resolving the crisis over Iran’s nuclear program solely through political and diplomatic channels, and we have expressed our readiness to assist in achieving mutually beneficial solutions.”
Western nations and Israel suspect Tehran of attempting to create a nuclear weapon, allegations that Iran refutes, arguing for its “non-negotiable” entitlement to develop a civilian nuclear program.
While Moscow maintains a friendly relationship with Iran’s government and offers significant support to Tehran, it hasn’t overtly backed its ally in light of the U.S. engaging in airstrikes alongside Israel since June.
Publicly, Moscow upholds Tehran’s right to harness nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, yet in recent months, Putin has also moved closer to U.S. President Donald Trump.
On June 13, Israel executed an unprecedented assault on Iran, which led to a 12-day conflict.
This war interrupted negotiations that had begun in April between Tehran and Washington, aimed at freezing Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions.
Subsequently, on June 22, the U.S. conducted bombings at the underground uranium enrichment facility in Fordo, near Tehran, as well as at nuclear sites in Isfahan and Natanz.
The precise level of damage from these attacks remains unclear.
