Iran and Russia return to Vienna nuclear talks after hiatus

Iran and the remaining JCPOA participants, including Russia, met in Vienna and tasked expert groups to continue work on nuclear implementation and sanctions-related issues.

Lavrov met Zarif in Tehran to discuss bilateral cooperation and the nuclear agreement, affirming Russian support for efforts to preserve the JCPOA.

Russian State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin attended Ebrahim Raisi’s inauguration in Tehran, maintaining high-level Russian contact during Iran’s presidential transition.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, including Russia, decided at its Dushanbe summit to begin Iran’s accession process, advancing Tehran’s institutional ties with Eurasian partners.

Iran’s new foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met Lavrov in Moscow, discussing wider cooperation, the nuclear deal and regional developments including Afghanistan and the Caucasus.

Ebrahim Raisi met Vladimir Putin in Moscow, discussing bilateral cooperation, regional affairs and implementation of the Iran nuclear agreement.

Iranian, Russian and Chinese vessels practised maritime rescue and anti-piracy operations during the CHIRU 2022 naval exercise.

Iran abstained when the UN General Assembly adopted resolution ES-11/1 condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia voted against the resolution.

Lavrov requested written US guarantees that sanctions imposed on Russia over Ukraine would not obstruct Russian trade, investment and military cooperation with Iran.

Amir-Abdollahian and Lavrov spoke by telephone about bilateral relations, Vienna negotiations and Ukraine. Iran’s minister stated opposition to both war and sanctions.