Russian Official Hails Iran-G5+1 Istanbul Talks

Moscow, April 18, IRNA - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and the country’s Chief Nuclear Negotiator Sergey Riabkov said on Tuesday that the Istanbul talks prepared the ground for finding a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear. Riabkov told reporters in Moscow that the talks were a serious move forward to resolve the issue in the future. “Pointing to US sanctions against Iran, Riabkov said Russia was well aware of the negative effects of sanctions and has repeatedly and harshly criticized them. “Iran's nuclear talks with G5+1 has entered a new stage with an aim of building confidence and removing concerns about the probable military aspects of Iran’s nuclear programs,” he added. He said Russia was cooperating with Tehran and Washington to settle the nuclear issues through diplomatic ways. Riabkov reiterated that the success of the future talks depends on their continuation and this is while all parties involved in the negotiations are optimistic about their success. He denounced the negative rhetoric and military threats against Iran. Riabkov noted Tehran's significant progress in the field of nuclear energy, hence certain countries are afraid of such a progress./end