Russia sees necessity to recognize Iran's right for enrichment

The Iranian nuclear problem could be solved if the international community recognizes Teheran's right for peaceful uranium enrichment, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday. Russia for many years called for recognition of Iran's right for peaceful nuclear energy, including the right to enrich uranium conditionally, Lavrov said. "There is understanding that this is a final point of our movement," the top Russian diplomat said in an interview with local media published on the ministry's website. Iran must have the same rights as other signatories of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, he noted. Unless such a goal has been declared, Teheran may suspect that the aim of the international community is to make Iranians "surrender" or change the regime. If Iran's rights are recognized, its suspicions would evaporate, Lavrov said, adding that Trhran, in its turn, must be "clear before the IAEA." "Now we have a real chance to strike a deal," Lavrov said. He said that Iranian nuclear problem cannot be solved through sanctions. The minister also welcomed "more active" diplomacy of the new Iranian leadership which, in his words, has been going to positive direction. "It obviously aims at solving the long-lasting problems, including the nuclear one," Lavrov said. The group of Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States plus Germany (P5+1) is seeking to limit Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for eased sanctions. Iran and the six powers failed to reach a deal after talks in Geneva on Nov. 7-9. Following a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin believed that there is a "real chance" to tackle the Iranian nuclear issue.