Russia will continue to cooperate with Iran including in the field of “peaceful nuclear energy”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on October 20, Vedomosti newspaper reported.

Russia has increasingly stepped up efforts to support Iran in recent years, including acting as a mediator between Tehran, Tel Aviv and Washington. In return, Tehran has supported Russia’s war in Ukraine, supplying weapons, including drones and ammunition. Tehran has repeatedly denied it has supplied Russia with drones and weapons, despite evidence from downed drones by Ukraine and Poland.

"Russia is certainly ready to expand cooperation with Iran in all areas. Iran is our partner, and our relations are developing quite dynamically. We will continue to do this," Peskov said.

He called the topic of the expiration of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) complex and noted that the situation is complicated by the unconstructive position of European countries. They have no basis for "exerting excessive pressure in this way on the sovereign country of Iran", according to Peskov.

The European Union Council announced on September 29 the reintroduction of sanctions against Iran related to its activities in developing nuclear weapons. The step followed a decision by France, Germany and Britain.

The reason was the expiration of the UN Security Council resolution on lifting sanctions against Tehran and the subsequent decision by the Security Council not to extend this lifting.

The United States imposed restrictions on October 1 against 44 individuals and organisations that have ties to Iran's nuclear programme and arms procurement.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the measure was carried out as part of the "snapback" of UN sanctions and measures against Iran for "substantial non-compliance" with its nuclear obligations.