TASS - Moscow calls on all countries to bear in mind that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) for Iran�s nuclear program is aimed at boosting economic and trade ties with Tehran, Russia�s Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based international organizations Mikhail Ulyanov said at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors on Tuesday.

"We are confident that the JCPOA is strong enough and the remaining members are capable of overcoming the difficulties that have emerged," he said. "The need to restore the balance of interests enshrined in the JCPOA is obvious. Russia will continue to work together with its JCPOA partners and other interested countries," Ulyanov added.

"We call on all countries committed to the UN Charter to bear in mind that, according to Resolution 2231, the JCPOA is aimed at boosting economic and trade ties and cooperation with Iran," the Russian envoy pointed out.

According to Ulyanov, this principle should be respected regardless of pressure that lacks legal basis.

Iran nuclear deal issue

In 2015, Iran and six major powers (five member states of the United Nations Security Council - Russia, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and China - and Germany) agreed on the final Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which particularly stipulated the removal of sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear program.

On May 8, 2018, US President Donald Trump announced Washington�s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. He said that old sanctions on Iran would be restored and new ones would be introduced in case Tehran attempted to pursue its nuclear ambitions. The first batch of new US sanctions on Iran took effect on August 7 and the second one became effective on November 5.

In the wake of Trump�s decision, the leaders of Great Britain, Germany and France called on other participants in the deal to continue fulfilling it. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that Tehran would not abandon the JCPOA and would continue to comply with its obligations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Washington�s withdrawal from the JCPOA violated the United Nations Security Council�s resolution. He added that Russia would seek to maintain the agreement despite US move to resume sanctions against Iran.