عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
World

Lavrov, Abdollahian Assert Need to Revive Nuclear Deal, Unite against Western Policies

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at a press conference in Moscow (Reuters)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at a press conference in Moscow (Reuters)
TT
TT

Lavrov, Abdollahian Assert Need to Revive Nuclear Deal, Unite against Western Policies

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at a press conference in Moscow (Reuters)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at a press conference in Moscow (Reuters)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks on Wednesday with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, during which they discussed bilateral, regional, and international issues.

The talks focused on reviving the negotiations on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as well as the situation in Ukraine and the "strategic partnership" between the two countries.

Lavrov welcomed the efforts to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, adding that this path could improve the regional climate and settle outstanding issues.

At the outset of the meeting, the Russian minister said that relations between the two countries have moved to a qualitatively new level, praising the increase in trade exchange and the joint work in the fields of energy and significant projects between the two countries.

The two ministers also discussed the Palestinian issue and the situation in Afghanistan, Yemen, the South Caucasus, and the Caspian Sea.

- Russia Lauds China's Role

Lavrov highlighted the situation in Ukraine, praising Iran's interest in political initiatives to settle the conflict, and strongly criticized the ongoing US violations of international laws and norms.

He also criticized the NATO, saying it has become a party to the conflict and practically "fights alongside Ukraine."

"We've once again pointed to the destructive line taken by NATO countries, which have been involved in the conflict for a long time and are being drawn deeper and deeper into it – though I don't think it is hardly possible to get more involved," he said.

For his part, Abdollahian asserted that Tehran understands Moscow's positions, saying the West is further complicating the situation in Ukraine by continuing to provide weapons to Kyiv.

He reiterated Iran's belief that relying on a political settlement to the issue was necessary.

During the joint press conference, Lavrov praised Beijing's peace initiative for Ukraine, asserting that it must be solved through political methods.

He also lauded the Chinese mediation in resuming relations between Tehran and Riyadh. He believed that the step contributed to launching the path of a political settlement in Yemen and reaching settlements of outstanding issues.

For his part, Abdollahian touched on the ties with Riyadh, noting that it requires some time to advance the relations, saying improving relations with neighbors is part of Tehran's faith, and that normalizing relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia is a step forward in this direction.

He also welcomed the ongoing talks related to the crisis in Yemen, stressing the importance of pushing forward any efforts to " achieve peace."

Abdollahian said he would soon meet with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

- Stance against US sanctions

Lavrov said that the meeting emphasized that the non-constructive policy of the West would not be accepted, stressing the need to complete Iran's membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, adding that the two sides agreed to strengthen the legal base of the bilateral relations.

Russia and Iran are working to establish a new treaty instead of the previous one. The Russian also FM pointed out that trade relations should be further developed.

Abdollahian praised the level of development of bilateral relations and said that the two countries are close to finalizing the new strategic partnership agreement, and revealed that he had invited his Russian counterpart to visit Tehran soon to sign the deal's final form.

He revealed that Iran submitted 49 documents to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization during its upcoming summit.

The talks were "fruitful," said the FM, reporting "positive progress" in the relations between Russia and Iran in establishing a partnership.

Lavrov also addressed the nuclear agreement, demanding the "extension of the UN resolution on the Iran nuclear deal, and the world is waiting for the US to return to its obligations."

Russia and Iran understand that there is no alternative to the JCPOA, and the agreement should be implemented as soon as possible.

Lavrov announced that all illegal sanctions against Iran should be canceled.

Upon his arrival in Moscow, Abdollahian told Iranian television that the window for nuclear negotiations is still open, indicating that Moscow played an influential role in the new round of talks, and Russian officials continue their efforts to ensure the parties return to their commitments.

- Syria and the South Caucasus

Addressing the Syrian issue, Abdollahian condemned Washington's accusations against Tehran of targeting US bases east of the Euphrates, saying they were baseless.

The FM noted that if next week's meeting between Syrian, Iranian, Russian, and Turkish deputy foreign ministers resulted in an agreement, a similar meeting will be held at the level of foreign ministers.

"Its main goal is to bring the views of Türkiye and Syria closer. Tehran and Moscow will do their best to see this happen. If a framework is determined in the talks, the next round of the meeting can be held at the level of foreign ministers," noted Amir-Abdollahian.

The two ministers also addressed the situation in the South Caucasus region, indicating that tensions are not in the interest of any party.

Lavrov hoped that friction between Iran and Azerbaijan would be temporary and settled soon. "We hope that the current friction between Baku and Tehran is temporary and will be overcome as soon as possible," he said.

Most Viewed

 
 
World

Satellite Images Suggest North Korea Expanding Missile Plant, Researchers Say

A satellite image shows a suspected missile assembly building under construction (lower center of photo) at the "February 11 Plant" near Hamhung, North Korea in this handout image obtained by Reuters on November 20, 2024. (Planet Labs PBC/Handout via Reuters)
A satellite image shows a suspected missile assembly building under construction (lower center of photo) at the "February 11 Plant" near Hamhung, North Korea in this handout image obtained by Reuters on November 20, 2024. (Planet Labs PBC/Handout via Reuters)
TT
TT

Satellite Images Suggest North Korea Expanding Missile Plant, Researchers Say

A satellite image shows a suspected missile assembly building under construction (lower center of photo) at the "February 11 Plant" near Hamhung, North Korea in this handout image obtained by Reuters on November 20, 2024. (Planet Labs PBC/Handout via Reuters)
A satellite image shows a suspected missile assembly building under construction (lower center of photo) at the "February 11 Plant" near Hamhung, North Korea in this handout image obtained by Reuters on November 20, 2024. (Planet Labs PBC/Handout via Reuters)

North Korea is expanding a key weapons manufacturing complex that assembles a type of short-range missile used by Russia in Ukraine, researchers at a US-based think tank have concluded, based on satellite images.

The facility, known as the February 11 plant, is part of the Ryongsong Machine Complex in Hamhung, North Korea's second-largest city, on the country's east coast.

Sam Lair, a research associate at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS), located at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, said the plant was the only one known to produce the Hwasong-11 class of solid-fuel ballistic missiles. Ukrainian officials say these munitions - known as the KN-23 in the West - have been used by Russian forces in their assault on Ukraine.

The expansion of the complex has not been previously reported.

Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied that North Korea has transferred weapons for Russia to use against Ukraine, which it invaded in February 2022. Russia and North Korea signed a mutual defense treaty at a summit in June and have pledged to boost their military ties.

North Korea's mission to the United Nations did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

The satellite images, taken in early October by the commercial satellite firm Planet Labs, show what appears to be an additional assembly building under construction as well as a new housing facility, likely intended for workers, according to the analysis by researchers at CNS.

It also appears that Pyongyang is improving the entrances for some of the underground facilities at the complex.

A disused bridge crane that was in front of a tunnel entrance, blocking easy access, was removed, suggesting they might be placing an emphasis on that part of the facility, Lair said.

"We see this as a suggestion that they're massively increasing, or they're trying to significantly increase, the throughput of this factory," Lair said.

The new assembly building is about 60 to 70 percent the size of the previous building used to assemble missiles.

In 2023, state media published images, which Reuters has reviewed, showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un walking through new buildings at the complex in Hamhung, where workers were assembling tail kits and nose cones for what appeared to be the KN-23, according to analysts.

In the past, publicly released videos from North Korean state media show that the complex has produced everything from tank wheels to the casings for rocket motors, Lair said.

LOW-FLYING MISSILES

The KN-23 was first tested in May 2019, and is designed to evade missile defenses by flying on a lower, "depressed" trajectory, experts have told Reuters, making them potentially useful for Russia as it seeks ways to penetrate Ukraine's air defenses.

Russia has fired thousands of missiles since the invasion. Leaning on North Korea for additional supplies could ease the strain on its own production facilities, Lair said.

North Korea's state news agency KCNA has reported that construction is underway at the Ryongsong Machine Complex.

This month, KCNA said the facility "is pushing ahead with the projects for attaining the goal for modernization planned for this year." The work includes rebuilding production facilities as well as assembling and installing equipment at machine workshops and a steel casting workshop, it said.

Researchers at SI Analytics, a South Korean satellite imagery firm that uses AI technology to scour images, also confirmed the new construction at the February 11 plant, saying in a report on Monday that some of the construction near the loading area would likely be used to conceal the future operations of the factory from satellites.

"Considering the presence of numerous construction materials, vehicles, and open-top freight cars loaded with materials around the site, the construction appears to be progressing rapidly," the firm said. The report said the facility was used to produce ballistic missiles, without naming the KN-23.

Michael Duitsman, also a research associate at CNS, said it was possible that the new construction revealed in the satellite images could be a storage facility, but he believed it was more likely a new assembly building.

North Korean missiles account for a fraction of Russia's strikes during its war on Ukraine, but their alleged use has caused alarm in Seoul and Washington because it suggests an end of nearly two-decade consensus among UN Security Council permanent members on preventing Pyongyang from expanding its ballistic missile programs.

SI Analytics said on Monday it had also identified new construction at the nearby February 8 Vinalon Complex, which is believed to produce fuel for ballistic missiles. The construction may be aimed at boosting production of solid propellants or UDMH, an important liquid rocket engine fuel, the report said.

Joseph Dempsey, a military analyst with London's International Institute for Strategic Studies, said that North Korea's expansion of short-range ballistic missile facilities would likely be motivated mainly by a desire to boost the country's own arsenal.

He said it was unclear to what extent Pyongyang may have expanded production capacity to meet the demands of its new cooperation with Moscow.

More than 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to the Russian region of Kursk, where Ukraine launched a major cross-border incursion in August, according to Washington, Kyiv and Seoul.

The troops will fight as part of Russia's airborne unit and marines, with some already participating in battles in the Ukraine war, a South Korean lawmaker who sits on the parliamentary intelligence committee said on Wednesday.

Russia has not denied the involvement of North Korean troops in the war, which it has been waging in Ukraine since launching a full-scale invasion in February 2022.