Russia Willing to Boost Ties With Iran, Says Rybakov

Moscow – Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Rybakov has said that Moscow is seeking to promote bilateral ties with Tehran, stressing that Iran-Russia cooperation would be against no third country, IRNA reported.

In a recent interview with Russiaˈs largest news agency, the ˈRIA Novosti,ˈRybakov said Moscow has repeatedly announced that its willingness to bolster trade and economic relations with Tehran is completely natural and not a political or economic challenge against other countries.

Washingtonˈs policies are against promotion of Tehran-Moscow economic relations, he said, stressing that the US tries to create artificial obstacles in the way of Iran-Russia cooperation.

Speaking on the sidelines of the latest round of Iran-5+1 nuclear talks on April 9 in Vienna, a US senior official said that Washington had called on Tehran and Moscow to avoid signing further economic agreements until a comprehensive nuclear deal is inked between Iran and the world sextet (UN Security Councilˈs five permanent members plus Germany).

Ryabkov said Moscow has repeatedly announced that promotion of its economic cooperation with Tehran should not be considered as any threat against other countries.

Rejecting US unilateral sanctions against other countries, Rybakov said Moscow believes those sanctions are neither logical nor legal.

He reiterated Russia’s strong will to increase and strengthen bilateral ties with Iran.

R.S