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Shamkhani: Iran is going [to Rome] to achieve a balanced agreement; not surrender.

Shamkhani: Agreement also stipulates speed [in implementation], refraining from threats, reining in troublesome parties like "Israel", and facilitating investment.

Shamkhani: Agreement based on nine principles, including seriousness, guarantees, balance, lifting sanctions, and refusal of Libya/UAE models.

Ali Shamkhani, Advisor to Iran's Leader: Negotiators headed to Rome with complete authority to arrive at comprehensive agreement.

Sheikh Qassem: Reconstruction is not a favor from anyone, and we will not accept blackmail under this pretext.

Qassem: Lebanon cannot move forward under US guardianship, and the US must respect the Lebanese people’s will for independence and non-interference in its affairs.

Sheikh Qassem: They say they are linking reconstruction to disarmament, we say we are the ones linking weapons to reconstruction.

Sheikh Qassem: Moving to the second phase requires implementing the first phase, which includes the withdrawal of “Israel,” an end to its aggression, and the actual start of reconstruction.

Sheikh Qassem: Hezbollah has fulfilled its responsibilities; let “Israel” fulfill its own, and let the Lebanese state fulfill its own.

Qassem: We will not discuss the details of the defensive strategy in the media, nor will we preempt the principles that will be agreed upon once we sit at the dialogue table.

Russia welcomes US-Iran talks, ready to facilitate process: Lavrov

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen + Agencies
18 Apr 2025 15:30
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Iran's FM Araghchi delivers a message to Putin from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic, Sayyed Ali Khamenei, addressing international, regional, and bilateral matters.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi enter a hall during a meeting in Moscow on April 18, 2025 (AFP)

Russia has welcomed efforts by both the United States and Iran to reach a new agreement on the Iranian nuclear program and expressed its willingness to support the negotiation process, provided Tehran's "legitimate interests" are taken into account.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Moscow on Friday with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, "We have substantively discussed the issue of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran's nuclear program ... We welcomed the efforts, as far as we can judge, to reach objective, mutually acceptable agreements."

"Of course, Russia is ready to facilitate this process and will support in every possible way agreements that take into account the legitimate interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran," he stressed.

Russian-Iranian relations have 'truly special character': Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister highlighted that the Russian-Iranian relations have a "truly special character," despite attempts to deter the development of the two countries.

Araghchi confirmed that he had briefed Lavrov on the status of indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

The top Iranian diplomat also announced that President Masoud Pezeshkian has invited his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to visit Iran, expressing hope that such a visit will take place in 2025.

Indirect talks with US remain off the table: Araghchi

Touching on his country's nuclear capabilities, Araghchi stressed Iran's readiness to reach an agreement on its nuclear program only within the framework of non-proliferation.

"We proceed from the premise that the only option for an agreement is an agreement exclusively on nuclear matters. I would like to emphasize that Iran is ready to fully seek this agreement within the framework of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons," he said.

The Iranian foreign minister underscored that all those who try to "load" the US-Iranian talks with topics outside of the nuclear file and thus create a "very risky situation" should take into account this principle position.

In the same context, Araghchi made it clear that direct talks with Washington remain off the table for now due to the US “maximum pressure” campaign and ongoing sanctions but reiterated that the diplomatic path remains open.

"Indirect talks are not something difficult or surprising, it is possible to reach agreements," he pointed out, adding that Iran "saw the seriousness of the other side" during the first round of talks in Oman.

Araghchi, Lavrov address US and Israeli aggression in the region

Araghchi and Lavrov also addressed the US and Israeli aggression in the region. Araghchi stated, "It is regrettable that crimes are being committed in Gaza amid complete silence from Western countries… The displacement of residents from Gaza is unacceptable."

As for the US aggression on Yemen, Araghchi affirmed that it must end as they are unacceptable.

Economic cooperation was also on the agenda during the diplomatic engagements.

Lavrov confirmed that the next meeting of the Russia-Iran Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation will be held in Moscow from April 23 to 25.

"It is planned to discuss key issues of bilateral infrastructure, logistics, and investment cooperation, including the implementation of the flagship project — the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant," he added.

Araghchi conveys Sayyed Khamenei's letter to Putin

On another note, Araghchi described his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as constructive, highlighting that "the Iranian-Russian relations have never reached this level of progress and mutual respect.”

The top Iranian diplomat said that he discussed various issues with Putin, including providing him with an update on the indirect talks with the United States and engaging in consultations regarding them.

Araghchi also delivered a message to the Russian president from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic, Sayyed Ali Khamenei, addressing international, regional, and bilateral matters.

Ahead of talks with his Russian counterpart, Araghchi stressed that "this message is a signal to the whole world that Iran considers Russia to be its strategic partner and an important neighbor."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin delivered substantial messages to Sayyed Khamenei.

"Of course, certainly, the best wishes and substantive messages to the supreme leader of Iran were also conveyed through the minister," Peskov told reporters.

On his part, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov indicated that Putin was "very satisfied" with the discussions he had with Araghchi.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin had a long and intense conversation yesterday, he was very satisfied with this conversation," Lavrov said at a meeting with the top Iranian diplomat.

Araghchi says Iran to respond decisively to any act of aggression, threat

Araghchi stressed that the Iranian armed forces "are currently in such a position of strength that no enemy can even contemplate attacking Iran."

Speaking at the Iranian Embassy in Moscow on the occasion of Iran’s Army Day, Araghchi pointed out that all of Iran’s military capabilities are defensive and will not represent a source of threat to any country in the region."

He underscored, however, that Iran would respond decisively to any act of aggression or threat.

Araghchi's remarks come as US President Donald Trump continues to threaten strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities should current talks with Tehran on the latter's nuclear program fail to yield results.

Earlier on Friday, Iran commemorated National Army Day on Friday with large-scale military parades across the country, showcasing its latest military advancements.

National Army Day was established by the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Ruhollah Khomeini, in April 1979.

In a historic letter, Imam Khomeini expressed strong support for the Iranian Army and instructed its forces to hold nationwide parades each year on April 18 to demonstrate their readiness and capabilities.

The decision came amid a campaign of hostile propaganda aimed at weakening the Army following its success in suppressing unrest and separatist movements in the early days of the revolution.

The Iranian Army and Navy staged a grand parade, showcasing a range of military advancements.

Among the featured equipment were the: