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Question: Russia has been consistently advocating a political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear problem. What are the details of Russia’s stance? What is Moscow proposing in terms of a political and diplomatic settlement?

Maria Zakharova: Our country has been doing everything in its power to settle the Iranian problem through political and diplomatic methods. There are many facts proving this, for example, our latest moves taken in the past few months. On March 14, 2025, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov took part in consultations on the JCPOA and the current aspects of trilateral cooperation, held in Beijing at the level of deputy foreign ministers of Russia, China and Iran. The discussions were focused above all on Iran’s nuclear programme.

An expanded joint statement was published following the Beijing meeting, where Russia, China and Iran set forth their views on the issue. On April 2, 2025,  Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi. They discussed the JCPOA.

On April 8, 2025, expert consultation on that issue were held in Moscow.

Therefore, we not only have our own stance on the matter, but are also actively promoting it in various formats. Why do we describe it as a stance? The main element is its consistency, which is clear from the documents I have mentioned just now.

The international community is becoming tired of endless threats to Iran. This fatigue is also connected with failure to understand why this issue, a solution to which was found at the diplomatic level and formalised in an agreement, is being presented as a potential cause for aggression.

People are coming to see that bombing raids won’t pave a path to peace. What they want are effective solutions reached through negotiations, which would move the situation away from the dangerous line and towards a lasting and durable settlement.

What is the Russian stance based on? We have always said that Western suspicions and prejudices regarding Iran’s nuclear programme should be eliminated on the basis of international law, guided by the principle of equal and indivisible security, carefully balanced mutual respect for each other’s interests, and moving towards a solution gradually, step by step, strictly complying with the agreements reached, thereby strengthening mutual trust.

By opting to violate UN Security Council Resolution 2231, the Americans and Europeans have shown themselves as unreliable actors who do not respect agreements. This situation should be changed.

At the same time, the largest number of IAEA inspections is held in Iran. Its nuclear programme has been under close scrutiny for the past 25 years. It is not Iran’s fault that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which had helped to fully remove all the IAEA’s concerns in a short period of time, stalled. Some even say it has lost its viability.

Tehran can’t be called to account for the consequences of the illegal actions by those whose poor judgement, faulty planning and opportunistic political manoeuvres  have undermined the agreements that were regarded as a major achievement of international diplomacy and have dramatically reduced the scale of IAEA inspections in Iran.

Overall, our Western colleagues’ actions raised doubts about the sincerity of their desire to effectively find solution to these issues, or to their “package”.

We still hope that common sense will prevail and they will agree to launch a constructive and substantive discussion on the possible parameters of solutions that will help avoid a crisis.

There is a reliable foundation for this, including the schemes and models used to draft the JCPOA and the subsequent multilateral efforts to revive the nuclear deal.

Russia has made a substantial and substantive contribution to this at all levels and stages, which is generally recognised. Today, we are doing our utmost to bring about a settlement and to achieve it exclusively by political and diplomatic means.

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Question: In light of the worsening tensions between the United States and Iran, and the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric highlighting the need for third-party mediation, could Russia – having previously expressed willingness to assist – serve as a mediator? What concrete steps is Russia prepared to take to help facilitate the negotiation process?

Maria Zakharova: First, we have consistently emphasised Moscow’s readiness to provide the necessary support in situations requiring de-escalation.

Second, we welcome any engagement that could contribute to reducing tensions surrounding Iran.

Third, I mentioned earlier in the briefing a number of efforts we have already undertaken in this direction over the past month and a half.

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Question: Tensions between Iran and the US have been intensifying, with Tehran stating that they will not reach any agreement with Washington as long as they threaten military action in the absence of an agreement. How do you view the situation between them and, from Moscow’s perspective, how could this issue be resolved?

Maria Zakharova: I have commented several times today on Iran’s nuclear programme, Iran’s relations with the international community, and the illegal pressure being exerted on Iran.

I would like to add that we should primarily emphasise that the use of military force by Iran’s adversaries to achieve their goals is illegal and unacceptable. In our view, the signals we have heard in recent days about the prospects for moving towards a diplomatic settlement warrant attention.

We note that any contacts that can lead to de-escalation of the situation can and should be welcomed.

I have commented on the steps Russia has been taking, and mentioned the number of trilateral and bilateral consultations held in the last six weeks at the level of Russian deputy foreign ministers, and at the level of experts.