Russia and Iran need to hold more “serious” negotiations over the United States’ unilateral withdrawal from Tehran’s nuclear deal, President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday.
“Given the illegal US withdrawal from the agreement, more serious and more significant dialogue between our two countries is necessary,” Rouhani said in a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in China’s port city of Qingdao, which is hosting a two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
Rouhani noted that Russia has played a “very important and constructive” role in the implementation of the 2015 deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Sputnik reported.
US President Donald Trump last month announced that he was pulling out of the accord and would revive Iran-related sanctions, including those aimed at the country’s oil sector and transactions with its central bank–a move that was rebuked by the other signatories, namely Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany.
During the China talks Putin criticized the US decision and said Russian officials will continue to hold talks with their counterparts to keep the pact alive.
Iran’s Full Membership
He said Moscow would support Iran’s full membership in the SCO, AP reported. Iran currently has an observer status.
“Through the years, Iran has strongly contributed to the SCO’s efforts as an observer member and Russia’s position is to support Tehran’s full membership in the organization,” Putin said.
Jointly led by Russia and China, the bloc was launched in 2001 to address regional security, political and economic challenges. The eight-member grouping includes Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and, since last year, Pakistan and India.
In addition, the Russian president expressed hope that the draft agreement to establish a free trade zone between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union countries, which was signed in April, would become permanent in the near future.
Syrian War
On the situation in war-torn Syria, Putin said, “We are successfully cooperating in settling the Syrian crisis.”
“In this regard, we have something to talk about because specific results have been achieved,” Russian News Agency TASS quoted the Russian leader as saying.
Rouhani held separate meetings with other senior officials, including the presidents of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pakistan Ties
The Iranian president and his Pakistani counterpart, Mamnoon Hussain, agreed to further strengthen bilateral economic ties by enhancing people-to-people contacts, trade and connectivity between Gwadar and Chahbahar ports, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
The Pakistani president said Tehran and Islamabad enjoy close ties and have supported each other on issues of common interest.
On Iran’s nuclear deal, he expressed hope that the remaining parties would continue to fulfill their commitments.
Hussain underlined the need to uphold international law and resolve global and regional crises through diplomacy and dialogue.
They also said peace and stability in Afghanistan was important for both Pakistan and Iran.
Support for Afghanistan
In a meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Rouhani reiterated Tehran’s support for Kabul in all areas, particularly in the fight against terrorism and drug smuggling.
“Iran is determined to expand its relations with its neighbors, especially Afghanistan, and supports joint investment in different development projects, including the construction of transit infrastructure,” Rouhani’s official website said.
Ghani said strong relations between the two neighbors in different fields will definitely serve Afghan interests.
Sino Ties
The Iranian president was scheduled to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, on the sidelines of the summit to discuss bilateral relations and the future of the nuclear agreement.
Earlier on Saturday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said her country will continue economic cooperation with Iran within the framework of its international commitments.
“China opposes any ban and pressure on Iran and has always been against unilateral sanctions on other countries,” she told IRNA.
