Share and Follow
During a visit to China, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized Iran’s right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, as reported by the Times of Israel. Lavrov’s remarks came during a press conference held on Tuesday after discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“Iran holds an inalienable right to enrich uranium for civilian applications,” Lavrov stated, reaffirming Russia’s stance on Iran’s nuclear activities. This assertion aligns with Russia’s long-standing support for Iran’s nuclear development, as long as it remains within the boundaries of peaceful use.
The issue of uranium enrichment remains a pivotal point in the ongoing diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran. President Donald Trump has taken a firm stance against any form of uranium enrichment in Iran. He reiterated his position in an April 8th post on Truth Social, asserting that the U.S. is actively working with Iran to eliminate any nuclear materials within the country to prevent the Islamic Republic from accessing uranium.
This division highlights the complex international negotiations surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, with major powers like Russia and the United States holding differing views on the extent of Iran’s nuclear rights.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks at a press conference in Beijing, China, on April 15, 2026. (Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Vice President JD Vance, who led the U.S. delegation during Saturday negotiations with Iranian officials in Islamabad, Pakistan, doubled down on that red line.
“The enriched uranium that the Iranians currently possess, we have said that we want that to come our of their country, and we would like to take possession of it,” Vance told Fox News’ Brett Baier on Monday.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese President Xi Jinping participate in a meeting in Beijing, China, on April 15, 2026. (Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
“The president doesn’t want to leave the next president or the president after that to be worrying about this program so we would like to get that material out of the country completely so that the United States has control over it.”
Despite the U.S. hard line, Russia’s top diplomat appeared to openly defy the U.S.’ demands, speaking in strong terms against what he viewed as American global control.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a bilateral meeting in Beijing, China, on April 15, 2026. (Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
“Neither China nor Russia, nor the majority of countries throughout the world, can accept this approach,” Lavrov said in remarks posted to a Russian state website.
The peace talks in Iran stalled, according to Vance, because of their refusal to completely give up their nuclear program. Nuclear experts praised the decision.
“The U.S. team was wise to walk away once it became clear the Iranians would not agree to Washington’s core nuclear demands. Tehran maintaining enriched uranium stocks and uranium enrichment capabilities provides it with a pathway to nuclear weapons, plain and simple,” Andrea Stricker, deputy director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ nonproliferation program, told Fox News Digital.
Fox News Digital contacted the U.S. State Department and the Russian Foreign Ministry for comment but did not hear back immediately.
<!–>
–>