SAEDNEWS: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has criticized Europe’s conduct on Iran’s nuclear issue, describing its actions as deceptive and a stain on European diplomacy.
In an exclusive interview with Iran’s national television channel IRIB, published Monday night, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized the United States and Europe over their handling of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
Lavrov said the U.S. had thrown the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) “into the dustbin” by withdrawing from it in 2018. Following suit, European signatories of the deal began accusing Iran of failing to comply with the agreement. He added that through “hostile and unlawful actions” over the past year, Europe tried to portray Iran as responsible for the JCPOA’s collapse.
“All this happened despite Iran never violating the deal,” Lavrov emphasized, calling the West’s tactics deceptive.
“I think it was a stain on European diplomacy that they decided to restore sanctions on Iran through deception,” Lavrov said, referring to the August move by Britain, France, and Germany — collectively known as the E3 — to trigger the snapback mechanism and reinstate UN sanctions lifted under the accord.
“Honest and upright diplomats do not behave this way. This is how fraudsters and thieves behave,” he added.
When asked whether Russia would stand by Iran in a conflict larger than the 12-day war with Israel in June, Lavrov confirmed that Moscow maintains a strategic partnership with Tehran and will continue supporting Iran and its legal rights.
He also stated that Russia is ready to assist Iran in resolving disputes with the West and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Lavrov noted that President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly told Iranian officials that Russia will adopt a position aligned with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and in accordance with the interests of the Iranian people.
