Moscow: Russia has expressed a desire to collaborate with the United States to address West Asia issues, including the commotion surrounding Iran's nuclear program, given that its ties with Washington are improving.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova suggested that a similar approach to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), might be useful in order to stabilize the situation with regard to Iran. She indicated that Russia does not rule out the possibility that Iran will agree to once again restrict its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of U.S.-led sanctions.

Zakharova, when asked about Russia's potential influence on Iran's nuclear program, emphasized to the Israeli daily that Iran has no intention of developing nuclear weapons and is only interested in nuclear power for civilian purposes. She further stated that Russia is prepared for the closest cooperation with Tehran and the other involved parties to reduce tension and find sustainable solutions that will enable an effective and long-term accord.

The backdrop to this development stems from the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump, who implemented a 'maximum pressure' policy against Iran. Despite Iran's initial patience, efforts by three European powers to mitigate U.S. sanctions' impacts failed, prompting Iran to begin reducing its nuclear obligations as allowed within the JCPOA framework.

Recently, the U.S. president claimed to have sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei proposing negotiations for a new deal, which Iran has denied receiving. Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated Iran's stance of not negotiating under pressure, dismissing the idea of talks with the U.S. on such terms.