Putin, in Iran for talks, offers support for nuclear deal
TEHRAN, Iran — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday strongly backed Iran and its nuclear deal with world powers, saying Moscow opposed “any unilateral change” to the accord after U.S. President Donald Trump refused to re-certify it.
Putin made the comments on a one-day trip to Tehran for trilateral talks between Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia, a meeting largely focused on improving road and rail links to the neighbouring countries on the Caspian Sea.
However, the nuclear deal loomed large as Putin met with both Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who easily won re-election this year after securing the atomic deal, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters.
“We oppose any unilateral change in the multilateral nuclear deal,” Putin said while meeting Khamenei, according to a statement from the supreme leader’s office. “We oppose linking Iran’s nuclear program with other issues including defensive issues.”