JCPOA Revival Requires US Logical Approach

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a phone conversation with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Thursday said restoration of the 2015 nuclear agreement was within reach if the United States took a logical approach. 
“Tehran is serious about reaching a good, strong and stable agreement without crossing any of Iran’s red lines,” Amir-Abdollahian was quoted as saying by IRNA. 
Former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, in 2018. Russia, China, Germany, Britain and France are also parties to the accord.
Amir-Abdollahian called for Russia’s support for a deal that is acceptable to Tehran.  Lavrov also said Moscow’s efforts aimed at arriving at a “fair agreement” that would secure Iran’s interests. 
Nuclear talks have stalled since March as negotiations came to a deadlock when Russia made last-minute demands and Tehran asked for the removal of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps from the US list of designated terrorist organizations 
Last week following the trip of the European Union’s coordinator, Enrique Mora, to Tehran, EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell said Iran’s response had been “positive enough” to inspire hope. 
The two top diplomats also discussed bilateral ties and regional and international issues during the phone conversation. 

Ukraine-Russia War

On the subject of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, Amir-Abdollahian said Tehran was against both war and sanctions and called for a ceasefire and a return to the negotiating table. 
Pointing to close relations with Moscow, the minister said he supported any diplomatic effort that would ease tensions and added, “Iran is ready to mediate and help solve this crisis.”
Russia launched a large-scale assault on neighboring Ukraine on February 24. The war has since caused a global food crisis and worsened food security for many nations. 
Lavrov in response criticized “unconstructive” stances of the US and the west in relation to the war in Ukraine and welcomed any innovative measures that could contribute to the establishment of peace. 
Both foreign ministers mentioned several agreements signed between Tehran and Moscow and affirmed they were serious about following up on policies that would boost ties. 
“Tehran-Moscow relations are significant,” Lavrov said. 
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many countries around the world have slapped sanctions on Moscow but Russia maintains that it was provoked by Kyiv’s intention to join the EU.