Russian envoy to 5+1 group visits Tehran last week

TEHRAN, Sept. 21(MNA) – Russia’s representative on the 5+1 group (the U.S., Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany), made a trip to Tehran last week.

Sergei Riabkov, who is also the Russian deputy foreign minister, paid a surprise visit to Tehran and met with high-ranking Iranian officials to discuss Russia’s step-by-step proposal.

On July 13, Russia made a step-by-step proposal, according to which Iran could address questions about its nuclear program and be rewarded with a gradual easing of sanctions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi also made a two-day visit to Moscow on August 16 and 17 and discussed the step-by-step plan with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Iran`s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Foreign Minister Salehi, and a number of other Iranian officials have welcomed the proposal but have said that the details of the initiative should be studied.

In addition, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev visited Tehran on August 15 to discuss the step-by-step approach with Iranian officials.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Saeed Jalili visited Russia on Monday. He held talks with some Russian officials on Tuesday.