Russia sees signs of hope in settling Iran nuclear issue

A solution to Iran's controversial nuclear program could hopefully be found, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday. "First time in many years the signs of hope have appeared," Lavrov said in an interview published on the ministry's website. Thanks to efforts made by six international mediators - the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany - based on the principles of gradual advance and mutual trust, such an approach gave Tehran a chance to ease and eventually lift sanctions, he explained. The West accuses Iran of developing nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian nuclear program, and has imposed sanctions aimed at crippling Iran's economy. But Tehran always stresses that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. "The international community must respond reciprocally to Iran's constructive steps," Lavrov said, urging all parties to avoid any poorly-calculated actions jeopardizing these positive developments. Moscow believed the six world powers must exercise political will and flexibility in order to set the date of next round of talks as soon as possible. The top Russian diplomat also highlighted Iran's right to develop peaceful nuclear program under reliable scrutiny of the International Atomic Energy Agency.