Russia Backs French Efforts to Uphold Nuclear Deal

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday expressed support for France's efforts to defuse tensions over Iran's nuclear program, stressing that Tehran's decision to reduce its compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal is understandable. 
French President Emmanuel Macron's efforts toward saving Tehran's nuclear agreement with world powers are "commendable" and are supported by Moscow, Russia's top diplomat said during a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, in Moscow, according to a live broadcast by RT. 
Since the United States pulled out of the pact last year, the European signatories—France, Britain and Germany—have been trying to convince Iran to remain compliant by promising to shield its economic interests from US sanctions.