Russia has called for resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue, warning that threats and pressure tactics will not advance negotiations.
Speaking in Moscow on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow believes that acceptable solutions can only be achieved through “dialogue based on equality and respect”.
“There is no reasonable alternative to this dialogue,” Zakharova said, expressing Russia’s readiness to contribute to resolving tensions between Iran and the United States by political and diplomatic means.
She added: “We hope that reason will prevail and that the region will not be pushed into a new military adventure that would have devastating consequences.”
Her remarks came amid renewed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme. The Sultanate of Oman hosted a recent round of talks in Geneva, following an earlier session in Muscat on 6th February.
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Tehran has said it is prepared to continue its nuclear activities within agreed restrictions in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. The United States, however, is demanding that Iran halt uranium enrichment entirely and remove its stockpile of highly enriched uranium from the country.
Washington also seeks to expand the scope of negotiations to include Iran’s missile programme and its support for armed groups in the region. Iranian officials have repeatedly insisted that discussions will be limited strictly to the nuclear file.
In recent weeks, the United States has increased its military presence in the Middle East and reiterated warnings of possible military action. Tehran, in turn, has accused Washington and Israel of fabricating pretexts for intervention and has vowed to respond to any attack while maintaining its demand for sanctions relief.
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