MOSCOW, November 18 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed optimism about striking a deal on Iran’s contentious nuclear program during a phone conversation Monday with his Iranian counterpart, the Kremlin said.
“Putin stressed that there is now a real chance to find a solution to this long-standing problem,” the statement said of the president’s talk with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
Representatives from Russia, the US, France, the UK, China and Germany have met repeatedly with Iranian officials in recent months to work out a deal curbing the Middle Eastern country’s nuclear activity.
The group of world powers is concerned about Tehran developing a nuclear weapon, while Iranian leaders have always claimed the country’s uranium enrichment program is only for energy and medical purposes.
Previous negotiations on November 7-9 ended with no deal, but another round of talks is scheduled to start November 20.
Rouhani praised Russia’s mediation work in the recent talks in Monday’s conversation with Putin, the Kremlin said.
Iran’s apparent willingness to cooperate was reinforced in comments by Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov published Monday.
Lavrov told government daily Rossiiskaya Gazeta that Iran was ready to act "much faster than expected" to stop enriching uranium above 5 percent.
Uranium enriched to 5 percent is suitable for fueling a nuclear reactor but not enough for a nuclear weapon.
Putin and Rouhani also discussed the Syrian civil war Monday, the Kremlin said, reaffirming support for upcoming talks in Geneva to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
