MOSCOW - Moscow welcomed the uranium swap deal ironed out between Iran, Turkey and Brazil as conducive to the peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a Thursday press conference.
On May 17, Iran signed a nuclear fuel swap agreement with Turkey and Brazil, under which Iran agreed to deposit 1,200 kg of its 3.5 percent low-enriched uranium in Turkey in exchange for 120 kg of 20 percent high-enriched uranium.
"We welcome this step. If it is fulfilled in all its entirety, very important prerequisites will be created not only for resolving the concrete problem of fuel supplies to this reactor, but also important conditions will emerge for strengthening the atmosphere for resuming talks," Lavrov said.
"Very much will depend on how the Iranian side will handle its obligations. If it follows them strictly, Russia will actively support the schemes proposed by Brazil and Turkey," he said.
"I can only say that this scheme reflects the interests of peaceful settlement of Iran`s nuclear program. We are convinced that everything must be done to get it implemented."
Lavrov also described an Iranian presidential statement that Russia wanted to become its "historic enemy" as "emotional."
"All of Russia`s foreign-policy decisions, including on Iran`s nuclear program, are based on national interests, and on Russia`s responsibility as a major international player," said Lavrov, echoing comments by Russian presidential aide Sergei Prikhodko a day ago.
The top Kremlin official Wednesday dismissed Iranian criticism as "political demagogy", saying Russia`s position on Iran`s nuclear program was neither pro-American nor pro-Iranian.
Tehran is already under three sets of U.N. sanctions for refusing to halt its uranium enrichment program. Washington says it has reached an agreement with its Western allies as well as Russia and China for a new round of sanctions on Iran.
The U.S. and other Western countries have accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons, a charge denied by Iran.