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Russian, Iran FM sign MoU to alleviate effects of Western sanctions

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Dec 2023 17:15

Iran and Russia are joining hands to alleviate the effects of US sanctions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, background center, speaks at the annual meeting of the Caspian Sea littoral states foreign ministers in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023 (Yuri Kochetkov/Pool Photo via AP)

At a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Moscow on Tuesday, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that he and his Iranian counterpart have officially endorsed a document outlining measures to counteract sanctions, Sputnik reported on Tuesday.

"We have just signed a declaration on ways and means to counter, mitigate, and offset the negative consequences of unilateral coercive measures. This is certainly an important step in increasing coordination of efforts by members of the global community to overcome the illegal sanctions, with which the United States and its allies replaced diplomacy," Lavrov said.

The declaration between Russia and Iran, focusing on strategies to counter, alleviate, and offset the adverse effects of "unilateral coercive measures," was signed in Moscow. Amir-Abdollahian visited Moscow for discussions with the five Caspian states and engaged in bilateral talks with Russia.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hosein Amir-Abdollahian signed a declaration in Moscow with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on jointly countering sanctions. pic.twitter.com/kJ5HFzLPwm
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) December 5, 2023

Iranian FM Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the possibility of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) being resumed, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"The ministers discussed a number of current international issues, including the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone, prospects for resumption of the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to resolve the situation around the Iranian nuclear program, as well as other regional issues of mutual interest," the ministry said in a statement.

During the visit of the Iranian delegation to Moscow, Ali Asghar Khaji, the senior adviser for special political affairs to the Iranian foreign minister, held discussions with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, as reported by the Russian Foreign Ministry. The diplomats delved into the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip, challenges related to humanitarian aid to the enclave, and efforts toward resolving the Syrian issue.

"The two sides discussed the current situation in the Middle East, emphasizing the importance of continued close coordination between Moscow and Tehran, including within the framework of the Astana format, in the interests of a comprehensive settlement in Syria," the ministry said in a statement.

Back in 2017, Russia, Turkey, and Iran initiated a mediation group focused on resolving the Syrian conflict in Astana. Subsequently, in January 2018, the city of Sochi in Russia hosted a congress dedicated to the Syrian national dialogue. This marked the initial effort since the conflict's inception to bring together a comprehensive representation of Syrian political forces. A pivotal outcome of the congress was the establishment of a constitutional committee, now operating in Geneva, with its primary objective being the preparation of a constitutional reform in Syria.

Iran has faced enduring US sanctions for numerous years due to its nuclear program development. These sanctions impose limitations on Iran's oil exports and freeze the accounts of Iranian leaders, high-ranking officials, and legal entities. Notably, on December 1, the US House of Representatives approved the No Funds For Iranian Terrorism Act. This legislation aims to re-impose restrictions on $6 billion in Iranian funds, which were initially released by the administration of US President Joe Biden as part of a prisoner swap deal reached earlier in the year.