Zarif hails Moscowˈs role in Iran nuclear talks

Zarif Hails Moscowˈs Role In Iran Nuclear Talks Tehran, March 6, IRNA - Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif praised Tehran-Moscow ties, stressing Russia’s role in talks between Iran and the six major world powers, PressTV said Thursday. “Relations with Russia are solid. They are based on mutual interests. Russia has played a positive role in the P5+1 that is why we hope for Moscow’s help to reach the final agreement on the nuclear program,” Zarif told ITAR-TASS on Wednesday during a working trip to Japan. Tehran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- Russia, China, France, Britain and the United States -- plus Germany wrapped up their latest round of nuclear negotiations in Vienna on February 20. The discussions were presided over by Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. Zarif underscored the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, highlighting that there should be no nuclear weapons in the world. “We believe that the Middle East and the whole world should be free of nuclear weapons. They don’t ensure security ...,” he stated. Zarif further touched upon Russia’s role in the construction of Iranˈs Bushehr nuclear power plant, saying, Iran “is satisfied with nuclear cooperation with Russia.” The top Iranian official said that other countries can also participate in the process of developing nuclear power plants in Iran. “Russia takes part in developing our nuclear power engineering. Other countries, for example Japan, can participate in it,” Zarif said, adding that Iran is open to “any proposals.” In September 2013, Iran officially took over from Russia the first unit of its first 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant in Bushehr for two years. The initial construction of the Bushehr facility began in 1975 by German companies, but the work was halted following the 1979 Islamic Revolution./end