‘A number of aspects of cooperation are in a limbo’ since last June, the official told the Sputnik news agency, and asked Tehran to show ‘due understanding, as more efforts are required to resolve this issue’.

Riabkov told the TASS news agency that Moscow is concerned ‘about the rapid progress that is being observed in developing Iran’s capabilities in many aspects of its nuclear program.’

The minister clarified that the concern is not related to any violation on the part of Iran of the basic obligations of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty or the guarantee agreement with the IAEA, because these documents do not impose restrictions on the country in this regard.

Regarding this, Riabkov stressed that Tehran has guaranteed ‘transparency’ of the corresponding efforts, and pointed out that the concern is given because it is increasingly difficult to restore the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed by Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, France, Germany, and which the US left in 2018.

The agreement established limitations on the Iranian nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions against the country, but after the United States left it, Tehran began to suspend its obligations with the JCPOA.

According to Riabkov, ‘the situation is becoming more complicated, because Tehran is increasingly moving away from the parameters initially established in this agreement.’

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