MOSCOW, July 14 (Alliance News): Russia’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed as “defamation” a US media report alleging President Vladimir Putin encouraged Iran to accept a “zero enrichment” nuclear deal proposed by the United States.
The report, published by Axios citing unnamed sources, claimed that Putin had pressed Iranian officials to halt uranium enrichment as part of a potential agreement with Washington.
In a statement released Sunday, the Russian Foreign Ministry rejected the allegations, calling them part of a “political defamation campaign” aimed at stirring tensions around Iran’s nuclear program.
“Invariably and repeatedly, we have emphasised the necessity of resolving the crisis concerning Iran’s nuclear programme exclusively through political and diplomatic means,” the ministry said, reaffirming Moscow’s support for a peaceful resolution.
The statement follows renewed international scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, with Western governments and Israel accusing Tehran of pursuing nuclear weapons—claims Iran has consistently denied, insisting its programme is strictly for civilian purposes.
Despite its strategic partnership with Iran, Russia has maintained a cautious approach, particularly since tensions escalated following Israel’s massive military strikes on Iran in June, which led to a 12-day conflict.
The war also disrupted ongoing nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington that had resumed in April.
In a further escalation, the United States carried out strikes on June 22 targeting Iran’s key nuclear facilities at Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz. The full extent of the damage remains unclear.
While Russia has defended Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear technology, recent signs of closer ties between Putin and former US President Donald Trump have raised questions over Moscow’s future stance on Iran’s nuclear file.
