Russian Federation formally eases ban on nuclear technology exports to Iran

Putin, on his first visit to Iran since 2007, presented an old edition of the Koran, the Muslim holy book, to Khamenei, the Iranian leader’s website said, publishing photos of the book.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has formally eased an export ban on nuclear equipment and technology to Iran. “The leaders exchanged views on the current state of bilateral relations, including in the field of trade and economic cooperation”.

According to footage broadcasted by the Russian channel Russia-24 which was reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP), Putin said at the meeting that “No one from outside is able to impose upon the Syrian people any sort of rule for their country or say who should take over its leadership. Also, the issue will be [brought up] of maintaining practice of long-term contracts for supplying gas and fair risk profile between suppliers and consumers of fuel”, Ushakov said.

Russia’s leading expert on oriental affairs, leading research fellow at the Institute of the World Economy and International Relations, Georgy Mirsky, has told TASS that the countries competing on the world market of hydrocarbons might cooperate successfully along strategic lines.

The two countries estimate that the U.S. and its allies aim at realizing their “regime change” agenda in Syria through diplomatic means after having failed to achieve the objective through military means during the four-year war. “Therefore, this should be prevented in an intelligent manner and by adopting an active position”.

United States and Russian Federation are at loggerheads over Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. “Any solution for Syria should be made with the full knowledge and agreement of the people and officials of that country”.

He criticised the USA for lending “direct and indirect” assistance to the Islamic State, saying: “Cooperation with countries that have lost their credit in regional and global public opinion due to their support for terrorists shows that the Americans do not follow an honest diplomacy”.

Both Iran and Russian Federation, which has a major sea port base in Syria, are seeking to limit United States leverage in the Middle East. Those who support opposition fighters in Syria, including Saudi Arabia, have pushed for a time frame for Assad’s ouster in any type of negotiated settlement.

The Russian geological company Rosgeologia and the Iranian Energy Ministry agreed on search and assessment of groundwater reserve on the Islamic Republic’s territory. “Only the Syrian people can decide this”.

The plan also calls for “free and fair elections” to be held within 18 months but does not explicitly call for Assad to step down – a move both Russian Federation and Iran are opposed to.