Presidents of Iran and Russia discuss JCPOA implementation, Middle East developments

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (L) and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin

The presidents of Iran and Russia have discussed the implementation of the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement between the Islamic Republic and the P5+1 group of countries as well as the latest developments in the Middle East.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday held a phone conversation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. During the call, Putin once again offered congratulations to Rouhani on his landslide reelection victory.

Rouhani won a resounding reelection victory in Iran’s May 19 presidential election, with 23,549,616 votes or 57 percent of the total ballots.

During the phone conversation, the Iranian president said that Tehran welcomes the expansion of cooperation with its neighboring countries, including Russia, adding, "Iran is ready to bolster bilateral and regional cooperation with Russia with more determination and we will witness more close cooperation between the two countries in the future."

He pointed to increasing economic and trade interaction between the two sides in recent years and said Tehran supports enhanced cooperation with Moscow in infrastructural and industrial projects as well as energy and banking sectors.

The Iranian president further said the Islamic Republic would remain committed to its obligations under the historic nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as long as the other side also fulfills its commitments.

Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia -- plus Germany signed the JCPOA on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016.

Under the agreement, limits were put on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for, among other things, the removal of all nuclear-related bans against the Islamic Republic.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has on multiple occasions confirmed Iran’s compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA.

Rouhani also said Iran-Russia cooperation would help promote regional peace and stability and contribute to the fight against terrorism, particularly in Syria.

"The expansion of such cooperation in Syria is very important and we welcome the continuation of trilateral cooperation among Iran, Russia and Syria and are resolute to go on with it," the Iranian president pointed out.

At Damascus’ request, Iran and Russia have been lending military advisory assistance to the Syrian army in its efforts to combat Takfiri terrorists, who are wreaking havoc in the Arab country since 2011. Moscow has also been providing Syrian troops with air power to boost their ground operations against terrorists.

Rouhani said Iran welcomes interaction with Turkey and Russia to safeguard a ceasefire in Syria under the supervision of the United Nations.

"Certain activities by [some] countries, including the new US administration and Saudi Arabia, will further complicate the regional situation," the Iranian president said.

He urged all countries to make efforts for a genuine battle against terrorism and toward establishing stability in the region.

Mediated by Russia and Turkey with the support of Iran, a Syria-wide cessation of hostilities took effect on December 30, 2016. The following day, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting efforts to end the Syria turmoil and jump-start peace negotiations.

Russia worried by aggressive moves in Syria: Putin

For his part, the Russian president said his country is concerned about acts of aggression by certain countries in Syria.

He added that Russia and Iran are present in Syria at the request of Syria's legitimate government and based on the principles of international regulations, saying Tehran and Moscow would continue their cooperation to promote peace and stability in the region, particularly in Syria.

Putin also said Moscow is resolute on further expanding relations with Tehran in various fields.

He urged all signatories to the JCPOA to remain committed to their obligations.