Russia says Trump's 'aggressive' stance on Iran doomed to fail

MOSCOW: Russia said on Friday after US President Donald Trump chose not to certify a deal on Iran’s nuclear programme that there was no place in international diplomacy for aggressive rhetoric, and such methods were doomed to fail.

Trump’s announcement “once again underlines the inadmissibility of using aggressive and threatening rhetoric in international relations,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement

“It is a hangover from the past, which does not correspond to modern norms of civilized dealings between countries,” the statement said.

Read More: Trump launches new Iran strategy, leaves nuclear deal hanging

“We viewed with regret the decision of the US President not to confirm to Congress that Iran is fulfilling in good faith” the nuclear deal, the statement said.

“We expect that this step will not have a direct effect on the progress of implementation of the agreements, although, clearly, it does not correspond to the spirit and letter,” of the nuclear deal.

Iran was strictly abiding by the terms of the deal, and the agreement was already making a contribution to making the world safer, it added.

Read More: Iran deal is working, says EU’s Mogherini

“In any event, regardless of the decisions of individual parties to the agreement, it is not possible to return to a situation which previously existed around the Iranian nuclear programme,” the statement said. “In particular, there can be no talk of a renewal of sanctions via the UN Security Council.”

“Russia remains committed to … (the Iran nuclear deal), wants it to be preserved and will continue to fulfil all its obligations under the deal. We call on all the other participants to do the same,” the ministry said.