Interim nuclear agreement enters implementation

Iran and the six powers, including Russia, began another two-day Almaty round on the nuclear dispute, but the parties remained far apart on substantive issues.

Iranian president Hassan Rouhani met Vladimir Putin in Bishkek during the SCO summit, renewing leadership-level contact after Iran’s presidential transition.

A ceremony marked the start of the handover of the Russian-built Bushehr plant to Iran, beginning an acceptance process rather than ending every Russian responsibility.

Iran and the six powers, including Russia, agreed on the Joint Plan of Action in Geneva, establishing an interim framework for nuclear measures and reciprocal relief.

Lavrov and Zarif discussed continued Russian assistance to Iran’s nuclear-energy industry in Tehran; Zarif also reiterated Iran’s expectation that Russia fulfil S-300 supply contracts.

Iran and Russia joined the fourth Caspian summit in Astrakhan, pursuing agreements on practical regional cooperation while negotiations on the sea’s overall legal status continued.

Iran and Russia signed nuclear construction agreements in Moscow, including a contract for two additional Bushehr units and a wider framework envisaging further reactors.

Defence ministers Hossein Dehghan and Sergei Shoigu signed a military cooperation agreement in Tehran, expanding the framework for contacts between Iran and Russia.

Iran and the six powers, including Russia, reached nuclear negotiating parameters in Lausanne, preparing the way for a final agreement while leaving technical work unfinished.

Putin lifted Russia’s restriction on supplying S-300 air-defence systems to Iran. Lavrov linked the decision to progress in nuclear negotiations and described the earlier ban as voluntary; lifting the...