Putin tells Macron Iran has the ‘right’ to develop ‘peaceful’ nuclear program

Russian President Vladimir Putin tells his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron in a phone call that Moscow’s ally Iran has a “right” to develop a peaceful nuclear program, the Kremlin says.

Putin emphasizes “the lawful right of Tehran in developing a peaceful nuclear [program],” according to the Kremlin transcript of the call.

It adds that both presidents agreed that the conflict over Iran’s nuclear program and other Middle Eastern conflicts should be solved “exclusively” by diplomatic means and that the two leaders would “continue contacts” on this.

Macron “emphasized the urgent need” for Iran to comply with its obligations under the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty,” in particular by cooperating fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whose inspectors must be able to resume their work without delay,” the French readout says.

The French leader also “expressed his determination to seek a diplomatic solution that would allow for a lasting and demanding settlement of the nuclear issue, the question of Iran’s missiles and its role in the region.”

The two leaders held their first telephone conversation since 2022, and their conversation largely centered on Russia’s war in Ukraine.