Lavrov says Iran has inalienable right to enrich uranium for civilian use

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov walks for a meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (Iori Sagisawa/Pool Photo via AP)

RIYADH/BEIJING, April 15 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Iran has an inalienable right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes, as talks continue between Tehran and Washington.

Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Lavrov said Russia would accept any Iranian approach in the negotiations with the United States, whether Tehran chose to pause enrichment or insist on preserving that right, as long as it was based on the principle of universal entitlement to civilian enrichment.

He said Russia and China firmly supported efforts to end the Middle East war and wanted the parties to move toward realistic and fair outcomes that fully respected the legitimate rights of each side under international law.

Lavrov's remarks underscored Moscow's backing for Iran's position on peaceful nuclear activity as diplomatic efforts continue amid wider regional tensions.

Iran is a signatory to the 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which allows peaceful nuclear energy programmes under safeguards, though it does not explicitly mention enrichment.

Russia and China have both called for a diplomatic solution and have signalled support for continued negotiations.