Nuclear issue can only be resolved by taking Iranian interests into account: Russia

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says that the US-engineered crisis around Iran's nuclear issue can only be resolved through diplomatic channels and by taking Iranian interests into account, following the failed American-Israeli aggression. Speaking at a briefing for reporters in Moscow on Thursday, Zakharova said that "the Iranian nuclear issue can only be resolved through political and diplomatic means, based on international law and with due regard for Iran’s interests." The Russian spokeswoman went on to reiterate "Russia’s principled position on Iran’s inalienable right to develop a peaceful nuclear program in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)." Zakharova highlighted that only Iran should decide the fate of its uranium stockpiles during indirect talks with the United States. "Only the Iranian people can decide how to exercise this right, including in the context of uranium enrichment and the nuclear material at their disposal." However, she stated that Moscow was prepared to assist indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States. Russia slams UN double standards on Iran, says US, Israel responsible for attack on UAE plant Russia says US-Israeli military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, including repeated attacks on the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, have brought the entire Middle East to the brink of a nuclear and radiological catastrophe. Zakharova emphasized that "Russia stands fully ready to assist Iran and the United States in implementing decisions on enriched uranium that may be reached during negotiations." Elsewhere in her remarks, the Russian spokeswoman said she was not fully aware of the details of the exchange of messages between Iran and America. "I understand you are interested in the details of these negotiation processes, but that information remains behind closed doors for now," she noted. Iranian officials have confirmed that the exchange of messages between Tehran and Washington is continuing under Pakistani mediation. In recent weeks, the US has reportedly submitted a series of proposals to Iran through Pakistan. The exchange of messages comes following the cessation of the US-Israeli war of aggression on Iran, which started on February 28 with the assassination of the late Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. China and Russia once again denounced the US-Israeli military aggression against Iran. pic.twitter.com/GtUvYMVc9g — Highlights (@highlightsnews1) May 20, 2026 On April 7, the US administration of Donald Trump announced a unilateral ceasefire following at least 100 waves of decisive Iranian retaliation against strategic American military positions across the region and Israeli targets in the occupied territories. The US president then extended the ceasefire and, most recently, announced calling off what he referred to as a planned attack against the Islamic Republic this week. Iran has, meanwhile, refused to rejoin negotiations unless its conditions – including the cessation of aggression on all fronts, removal of an illegal naval blockade of the country, and the lifting of illegal sanctions – are met.