Russia is ready to take in Iran’s enriched uranium as part of a future peace deal with the United States, the Kremlin said on Monday.
Failed talks between Iran and the United States over the weekend dashed hopes of a swift deal to permanently end the war that has killed thousands and thrown the global economy into turmoil since it began in late February.
Russia, which possesses the world’s largest stockpile of nuclear weapons, has repeatedly offered to host Iran’s enriched uranium as part of any peace deal.
“This proposal was voiced by President Putin in contacts with both the United States and regional states. The offer still stands, but has not been acted upon,” the Kremlin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday in response to a question by AFP.
The Kremlin also criticised Trump’s threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway that has been at a standstill since the US and Israel began striking Iran in late February.
“Such actions will likely continue to negatively impact the international market,” Peskov said.
Earlier, China called reports it had supplied or intended to supply weapons to Iran “baseless smears”, after several outlets quoted US intelligence sources accusing Beijing of what could amount to entering the war indirectly.
“China has always adopted a cautious and responsible attitude towards the export of military items, implementing strict controls in accordance with its own export control laws and regulations and its international obligations. We oppose baseless smears or malicious association,” foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular news briefing on Monday.