Iran nuclear deal vital for strategic stability: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks at a meeting with the secretary general of the Council of Europe in Moscow on October 20, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned against breaking up the Iran nuclear agreement with world powers, saying it is "vital for strategic stability." 

Speaking at a Friday conference in Moscow, Lavrov said any unilateral changes to the 2015 agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), "could bury this agreement, which is vital for strategic stability and nuclear non-proliferation."

Lavrov described any prospect of returning to the pre-JCPOA situation as “impossible,” saying, “Restoring the UN Security Council sanctions [on Iran] is out of the question.”

The Russian foreign minister rejected the need for further inspection of Iran’s nuclear sites beyond the JCPOA requirements, noting that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) “performs regular checks and confirms their [Iran’s] strict fulfillment of obligations.”

Touching on US demands for renegotiation the JCPOA, Lavrov stated that any changes to the deal would require the approval of all the parties to the accord, including Iran.

The comments came a week after US President Donald Trump refused to formally certify that Iran is complying with the deal, and warned that he might ultimately terminate the agreement.

While Trump did not pull Washington out of the nuclear deal, he gave the US Congress 60 days to decide whether to reimpose economic sanctions against Tehran that were lifted under the pact. Reimposing sanctions would put the US at odds with other signatories to the accord, including the European Union, which has sharply criticized Washington's decision about the deal.

This is while all other signatories -- Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China -- have stressed their full commitment to the JCPOA.

Iran has vehemently rejected the possibility of renegotiation, warning that any hostile action against the accord will jeopardize regional and global peace and security.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi (pictured below), who is visiting Moscow on top of a diplomatic delegation to discuss the implementation of the JCPOA, told journalists on Friday that Tehran would not abandon the nuclear deal before any other party.

Araqchi also rejected any need to increase the level of inspections of the Iranian nuclear sites, adding, “The deal, as well as its protocols, was clear in terms of checks and monitoring [of Iran’s nuclear sites], all measures were agreed upon.”

France calls for 'united voice' on Iran deal

Meanwhile, at a European Union summit on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron underlined the importance of a “unified voice” for discussion of international issues, including the JCPOA, against the backdrop of a "less-clear strategy from the United States" under Trump.

During the meeting, the EU leaders reaffirmed the bloc’s support for the JCPOA.