Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s support on Friday (20 February) for the negotiation process between Washington and Tehran amid escalating regional tensions.
In a telephone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Lavrov expressed Moscow’s backing for negotiations aimed at securing “fair political and diplomatic solutions” that respect Tehran’s legitimate rights.
The discussions, the Foreign Ministry said, are in line with the principles of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Noting the call took place at Tehran’s initiative, the statement said Lavrov and Araghchi exchanged views on the current situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme, while taking into account the results of indirect U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva, Switzerland.
“Some issues of mutual interest on the bilateral agenda were also discussed,” the statement added.
The U.S. and Iran concluded a second round of indirect negotiations mediated by Oman on Tuesday, with both sides acknowledging progress amid a growing American military buildup in the region.
Shortly after the Geneva talks, U.S. Vice President JD Vance described the process as productive "in some ways," but said Tehran was "not yet willing" to engage on some of Trump's "red lines."
Araghchi said talks showed progress, describing the atmosphere as "more constructive."
Washington has significantly stepped up its military presence in the region, deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, with the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier on its way to the region, along with additional fighter jets.
The Geneva meeting was the second round of negotiations since U.S. President Donald Trump ordered strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities during the 12-day Iran-Israel war last June. The first round was held in Muscat, Oman, on 6 February.
Trump said On Thursday, it will be clear if it is possible to make a deal with Iran "over the next probably 10 days," warning that Washington "may have to take it a step further" if negotiations fall short.
Earlier, the Kremlin called on Iran and all regional partners to "exercise restraint and caution," describing the tensions as "unprecedented."
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The new constitution of Armenia must not contain any reference to the Declaration of Independence, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday (12 March), according to Armenian media reports.
A freight train carrying more than 1,000 tons of Russian grain will depart for Armenia through Azerbaijani territory on Wednesday. The shipment consists of 11 wagons loaded with a total of 1,023 tons of agricultural cargo.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
Russian grain is once again moving by rail to Armenia along a route that had been closed for decades. The latest freight train departed from Baku on 9 March carrying hundreds of tonnes of grain.
The U.S. should shut down its military bases in the Middle East, Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said on Thursday (12 March). His words were read out by a broadcaster on state Iranian television.
A towering lava fountain from Kilauea shot about 400 metres into the air late on Tuesday (11 March) on Hawaii Island, prompting temporary closures at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and part of a key highway as volcanic ash and debris fell over nearby areas.
More than 68,000 children in eastern Afghanistan have been displaced after clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces intensified along the border, according to a new report by Save the Children.
Centuries-old palaces and mosques in Isfahan, Iran’s celebrated cultural capital, lie in ruins after a series of air raids struck the city’s historic centre, leaving officials to warn of a devastating loss to both national and global heritage. AnewZ’s Touraj Shiralilou visited the city.
Georgia has cancelled international tenders for the construction of major road sections that form part of a regional highway linking the country with the borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
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