Putin betrays Iran? Kremlin pushes Tehran to accept US nuclear deal
Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not given up on positioning himself as a "mediator" in a potential agreement between Iran and the United States. He is reportedly pressuring Tehran to accept Washington's demand to stop enriching uranium, Axios informs.
According to Axios, Putin has told Iranian officials and US President Donald Trump that he supports the idea of a new nuclear deal between Washington and Tehran. However, the proposed deal includes a demand that Iran give up uranium enrichment — something the ayatollah regime in Tehran refuses to accept.
The report emphasizes the significance of this shift. For years, Putin and Russia have supported Iran on nuclear issues. The Kremlin was considered one of Tehran's strongest advocates. But now, after a 12-day armed flare-up between Iran and Israel, Putin has taken a starkly different position.
In unofficial talks, Moscow is urging Iran to accept the "zero enrichment" demand, sources familiar with the matter told Axios. Two officials from the Israeli government also said the Kremlin informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office of this new stance.
Putin has openly expressed support for the "zero enrichment" policy in phone calls with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron.
"Putin would support zero enrichment. He encouraged the Iranians to work towards that in order to make negotiations with the Americans more favorable. The Iranians said they won't consider it," one European official said.
Iran, for its part, is reportedly furious with Russia. Despite a signed agreement on a comprehensive strategic partnership, Moscow did not provide Iran with any meaningful support during its recent conflict with Israel, aside from media statements and comments from Russian officials.
Talks with the US
Despite tensions, Iran has not ruled out the idea of direct negotiations with the United States. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told France's Le Monde that Tehran needs assurances the talks will not be met with more US strikes.
"Therefore, it is crucial for the US to accept responsibility for its mistakes and to demonstrate a clear change in behavior. We need assurances that the United States will refrain from military attacks during any future discussions, " the minister said in the interview.
Putin as a mediator
Back in June, Trump said that Putin could serve as a mediator in securing peace between Iran and Israel. According to Trump, Putin raised the idea during a phone call with the US President.
The Institute for the Study of War suggested that Putin's mediation push is part of a broader effort to present himself as a "respected peacemaker" and divert global attention from Russia's war against Ukraine.
Macron, however, mocked Putin's ambitions. The French President said Russia has no credibility to act as a peacemaker anywhere in the world, especially as it is actively waging a high-intensity war as the aggressor and a blatant violator of the UN Charter.
