Lavrov and Maas discuss Russia’s potential in preserving Iran nuclear deal

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has announced after talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov that they discussed possibility of Moscow’s influence upon Tehran in observing the Iranian nuclear program deal.

“For us and for our partners in France and the UK, the most decisive thing is whether Iran will completely observe or will not observe the existing limits and obligations, and whether it remains within framework of the deal,” Maas is quoted as saying by TASS.

“We discussed in what extent the Russian government can influence Iran in this issue,” he added.

According to Maas, on the background of the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for Iran, it is extremely important that the rest participants are responsible about observing their obligations.

On May 8, US President Donald Trump announced the USA is quitting the deal on the Iranian nuclear program. The leaders of Great Britain, Germany, and France, Theresa May, Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron called on all the participants to continue implementing the agreements fully.

EU High Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini also spoke for preserving the deal. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tehran would not give up the deal and continue fulfilling its obligations.

The Russian foreign ministry said that Moscow is disappointed with the Washington step, and called Trump’s decision a cover-up for political retaliation with Iran.