Russia Says Will ‘Do Everything to Preserve’ Intl. Trade Ties with Iran in Sanctions Era

“We will do everything necessary to preserve and expand international trade and economic and financial cooperation with Iran despite the US sanctions,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said in a statement on Saturday.

“We resolutely condemn the new destructive actions of the United States,” it added.

Following is the full text of the statement:

The new wave of anti-Iran sanctions announced by Washington is aimed at undermining the consistent efforts taken by the signatories of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program to preserve this agreement.

The course pursued by Washington to demolish international legal instruments of nuclear non-proliferation and arms control is cause for deep disappointment and increasing concern. The situation in the area of global security is deteriorating. The United States has now dealt another powerful blow to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, bringing it closer to collapse while hypocritically talking about the need to strengthen it.

We reject any unilateral sanctions bypassing UNSC decisions, especially when they are applied extra-territorially and concern the interests of third countries, as is the case with US restrictions against Iran. If Washington, as it claims, is indeed interested in negotiations with Tehran, the policy of sanctions pressure aimed at diminishing Iran’s economic and defense potential as well as undermining the internal political situation there must be revised immediately. Many years of experience show that it will be impossible to reach concessions with Iran by using pressure.

The JCPOA fully justifies itself. It has proved to be effective. The IAEA regularly confirms that Iran strictly complies with its obligations. The verification and control measures provided for in the Action Plan are applied in full. This in itself is reliable proof of the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program.

The international community must not allow such a significant achievement of international diplomacy to collapse at the whim of just one nation, which openly violates the norms of international law. We are confident that the JCPOA, unanimously approved by the UNSC Resolution 2231 (2015), has a sufficient margin of strength. The agreement’s participants are absolutely capable of overcoming any emerging issues.

We will do everything necessary to preserve and expand international trade and economic and financial cooperation with Iran despite the US sanctions.

We resolutely condemn the new destructive actions of the United States.

Message end/