Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to help resolve the nuclear dispute between Iran and the United States. According to the Kremlin spokesperson, Russia maintains close ties with Iran and Putin is ready to play a role in negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.
The offer came shortly after a phone call between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump on June 4. Trump stated that Putin expressed willingness to be “involved” in the talks, even though Trump accused Iran of moving slowly on the U.S. proposals.
There have been five rounds of negotiations between Tehran and Washington on the nuclear issue. After the U.S. withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, Trump’s administration now seems interested in reaching a new agreement with Iran.
Trump emphasized that his administration will never allow Iran to enrich uranium. Meanwhile, Iran insists it has the right to enrich uranium under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei rejected Washington’s nuclear proposals as harmful to Iran’s national interests in a recent speech.
Russia and Iran have strengthened their military ties, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Recently, the Kremlin also affirmed Iran’s right to pursue a “peaceful nuclear program.” Putin’s offer may open a new chapter in the complex talks over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.