MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin of Russia renewed an offer on Thursday to receive Iran’s enriched uranium. He also called for sanctions relief and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at the plenary session of the 23rd annual Valdai Discussion Club meeting, Putin said Moscow remained ready to accept the material. He recalled a similar transfer in 2015.
Putin claimed that Iran, the United States and Israel had initially accepted the Russian proposal. Washington later demanded exclusive US custody, he added. He linked Iran’s tougher position to that demand.
Ali Larijani, the former secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, subsequently proposed a joint Russian-Iranian enterprise inside Iran. Putin said it would dilute the material.
Putin recalled discussing enriched uranium with Larijani during a visit to Russia. He regarded the Iranian official as a constructive negotiating partner.
He criticised Larijani’s killing and argued that the official could have helped negotiate compromises for peace in the Persian Gulf. Turning to Iran’s people, Putin praised their “courage, heroism and resilience”.
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He described the administration and armed forces as retaining experienced leaders ready to sacrifice for their country. His assessment included the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Putin supported lifting sanctions against Iran. He argued that relief would remove grounds for restricting passage through Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.
(With input from Press TV)
