Russia Defends Iran’s ‘Sovereign’ Right to Develop Missile Program

TEHRAN (defapress) – Moscow believes that development of missile program is Tehran’s sovereign right, and all the issues arising in this regard should be resolved at the negotiating table and without pressure, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Sputnik.

News ID: 72539

Date: 20 September 2018 - 11:58

"We have always supported resolving any problems that arise in interstate relations and in the dialogue on acute issues through negotiations and through relevant agreements," Ryabkov told Sputnik in an interview on Wednesday.

He also said the developments surrounding the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and other issues that American counterparts put in the context of that deal, as well as Iran's behavior, attracted Russia's close attention.

Ryabkov added that the meeting of the parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) will be held at the level of foreign ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly later this month.

"The meeting of the participants of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action -those who stayed in the agreement- will be held at the ministerial level," Ryabkov said.

According to the Russian deputy foreign minister, the definite time is being coordinated, and the European External Action Service is expected to make a relevant announcement in the near future. Ryabkov assured that the meeting would certainly take place.

On May 8, US President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the JCPOA, which was achieved in Vienna in 2015 after years of negotiations among Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).

Iran and the remaining parties to the deal are negotiating to save the agreement.

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