Putin, Rouhani affirm commitment to JCPOA
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Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on Thursday affirmed their countries' commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear programme

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Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Iran's President Hassan Rouhani attend a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, June 14, 2019. (File photo: VCG)

The two leaders held a telephone conversation that focused on various issues, including the JCPOA.

"Vladimir Putin pointed out that the JCPOA was vital for the maintenance of global stability and security," a statement by Kremlin said.

"Hassan Rouhani reaffirmed Iran's commitment to the JCPOA and readiness for equal and constructive collaboration both with all of its signatories and within the IAEA. He also thanked Vladimir Putin for Russia's consistent stand in favour of preserving and implementing the nuclear deal," it added.

JCPOA, signed in 2015 by Iran and six world powers, including the United States, the Additional Protocol allows UN inspectors from the IAEA to carry out more intrusive inspections of Iran's nuclear program.

Under the JCPOA, the United States, Russia, China, Germany, Britain and France in 2015 agreed to the deal with Iran that prevents Tehran from developing nuclear weapons in return for sanctions relief.

U.S. President Donald Trump however pulled out of the pact in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, saying the agreement did not do enough to contain Tehran's missile program and regional influence.

In their telephone conversation, President Putin and President Rouhani also discussed their countries’ fight against COVID-19, which continues to spread despite concerted global efforts to bring it under control.