Al-Monitor - Russia dispatched one of its leading diplomats to Tehran this week to urge the Iranians to back off their threat to resume certain nuclear activities in retaliation for the US �maximum pressure� campaign.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov sat down for �a square talk� with his counterpart Abbas Araghchi, the Russian foreign minister said in a statement after the meeting. The Russian envoy sought to dissuade the Iranians from leaving the Non-Proliferation Treaty or following the Donald Trump administration in exiting the 2015 nuclear deal.

Why it matters: Russia appears to be playing an increasing role as a de facto mediator between the United States and Iran as the two countries inch closer to a regional confrontation.

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