MOSCOW, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The demand for Iran to completely renounce its rights to enrich uranium for any purpose contradicts the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and Iran has the right to peaceful uranium enrichment, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attends the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Türkiye, on March 1, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

Russia is in close contact with the Iranian authorities and does not doubt Tehran's sincere desire to resolve the nuclear dossier issue with respect for the NPT, Lavrov said in an interview with the Al Arabiya TV channel.

Arab countries are now sending signals to Washington calling for restraint toward Iran and for agreements that do not infringe on Iran's rights and guarantee exclusively peaceful uranium enrichment programs in the country, he said.

The second round of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States concluded in Geneva on Tuesday, with new talks to be scheduled.