Iranian FM in Russia for talks on nuclear deal, Syria

Iran’s foreign minister is visiting Moscow for talks focusing on the future of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and the situation in Syria, where both nations support President Bashar Assad.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif emphasizes the need for close cooperation to safeguard the nuclear agreement during talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.

The US has said it would consider scrapping the 2015 deal in which Iran restricted its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Zarif accused Washington of pursuing “destructive policies.” Lavrov vows that Moscow will defend the deal as a “key contribution to the regional stability and nuclear non-proliferation.”

Zarif’s trip to Moscow follows a series of anti-government protests in Iran. Zarif and Lavrov did not mention the unrest in their opening remarks.

— AP