Deputy FM to Visit Moscow

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov will meet Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Moscow this week to discuss the Iran nuclear deal, Interfax quoted the Russian official as saying on Tuesday, as cited by Reuters. "Certainly, the focus is on the situation around the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in the light of [US President Donald] Trump's statement about his intentions ... and signals that the US is inclined to supplement this document, to alter it or modify in a direction that suits Washington," Ryabkov said. After Trump chose not to certify Iran's compliance with the deal in a blustery speech against Iran last Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, "Regardless of the decisions of individual parties to the agreement, it is not possible to return to a situation which previously existed around the Iranian nuclear program. In particular, there can be no talk of a renewal of sanctions via the UN Security Council."