US sanctions effectively contributing to Iran\'s stockpiling: Lavrov

Meeting with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths, Russian top diplomat voiced his concern over the negative impact of the escalation in the Persian Gulf, US unilateral sanctions and Europeans inaction impacts on JCPOA.

Iran PressEurope: Sergei Lavrov, Russian foreign minister met the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths in Russian capital city, Moscow to discuss the current situation in the Persian Gulf and peace process in Yemen. Griffiths is currently in Russia with a visit, scheduled to last from July 1-7.

According to Iran Press report, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that the United Nations and Russia expressed concerns over the negative impact of the escalation in the Persian Gulf.

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In the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the US sanctions have effectively prevented Iran from selling the excess uranium it produces, contributing to its stockpiling. He also called on Tehran to "show restraint, not yield to emotions" and observe provisions of the deal.

"We are calling on our Iranian colleagues to show restraint and in no way to be subjected to emotions, and observe key provisions of the deal on guarantees with the IAEA and provisions of a supplementary protocol for this agreement," Lavrov said, answering a question concerning Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile that has exceeded the 300-kilogram limit.

Russia also demands that its European colleagues meet their commitments in order to make the newly-created INSTEX payment tool truly effective and ensuring the rights of Iran under the UN Security Council’s resolution in the field of trade and economic ties, Lavrov noted.

Lavrov emphasized that Russia would make every effort to "keep this crucial agreement, which is of special importance not only for settling this particular situation around Iran but also for strengthening the regime of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction."

"The JCPOA is an all-encompassing package of mutual commitments and rights of all parties to the deal," Lavrov said, adding that "European colleagues should fully recognize their responsibility for preserving the treaty, they have a crucial commitment to ensure Iran’s economic interests, including a possibility to sell oil and get revenues for that;" Lavrov mentioned, "If we speak about the need to preserve the joint plan, this implies commitments of all parties to the deal," Lavrov stressed.

The two diplomats also discussed the military, political and humanitarian situation in Yemen, focusing on the prospects of implementing the agreements reached at the UN-sponsored intra-Yemeni consultations, held in Sweden on December 2018, and enshrined in the UN Security Council Resolution 2451.

The two officials also asked for all regional and international players to facilitate the peace process and its implementation. 

Before his trip to Moscow, A UN official described the visit to Moscow as “important” given that Russia is a major partner and a permanent member of the Security Council. After Russia, the Envoy will visit the UAE and Oman. 212 / 104

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