Moscow says Iran, US have chance to compromise on JCPOA

Russia is in favor of restoring the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in its initial form that was approved by the United Nations, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday, Sputnik reported.

"We have proposed an informal road map, envisioning Iran's and the United States' simultaneous gradual return to the implementation of their obligations."

"French colleagues help us formulate the steps, especially the first step, which should launch the process of JCPOA full restoration," Lavrov said at the Middle East Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club, also stressing that Russia believes that the deal should be restored in its initial form that was approved by the UN.

Earlier on March 22, Sergey Lavrov made some remarks in an interview with Chinese media.

"The United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal and is now trying to revive it. Not only did it suspend its commitments, but it also barred all other countries from complying with UN Security Council resolutions," he said, "This is a clear violation of international law and shows the country's complete inability to negotiate."

He also stressed the need to form a broad coalition to counter unilateral sanctions, saying that any plan against illegal instruments such as unilateral sanctions "deserves any possible support".

"Such initiatives should be encouraged and supported, and we should form a coalition as large as possible of countries that oppose this illegal (sanctions) action," the Russian foreign minister said.

Sergey Lavrov also criticized the US unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA and expressed hope that Washington would stick to its intention to return to the deal.

RHM/PR