Iran FM: Moscow's position regarding JCPOA encouraging

Moscow, May 14, IRNA – Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said here on Monday that Moscow 's position regarding the 2015 nuclear deal is encouraging. 'I hope that today I will be able to hold consultations with you on details of cooperation within the 4+1 Group,' Zarif said at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, according to the Russian news agency, Sputnik. 'Unfortunately, the protest against international rules and laws has become a habitual practice for the US administration,' he added. Zarif underlined that the nuclear deal, officially known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) corresponds to the balance of commitments between the Iranian side and Europe and, in particular, the United States, and of course this balance has been undermined after the US withdrawal. The senior Iranian diplomat also stressed the significance of safeguarding Iran's interests enshrined in the JCPOA. Describing the US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the capital of the Zionist regime as a 'dangerous move', Zarif urged the international community to protect international rules and laws. Zarif also described negotiations with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing as 'positive and constructive'. Zarif arrived in Moscow on Monday to discuss Iran nuclear deal with his Russian counterpart. He was in Beijing on Sunday and held talks with Chinese officials, including his counterpart Wang Yi on Iran nuclear deal. After Moscow, he is slated to travel to Brussels to continue the JCPOA-related talks in the aftermath of US walkaway from the key international deal. 1378/IRNA