Russian envoy: Claims on Iran's role in recent tensions 'baseless'

Russian Ambassador to Iran Levan Dzhagaryan says allegations that Iran has recently been purposely ratcheting up tensions in the Middle East are "baseless," as some regional countries are following up on the American narrative that the Islamic Republic is actively seeking confrontation.

"We are deeply concerned with the current situation in the Persian Gulf right now and we are now in contact with the both sides... as well as other countries in the region to calm down the tensions," Dzhagaryan told Press TV in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

He said the US military buildup in the region was "quite unnecessary," arguing Iran "doesn't pose any threat for regional countries."

The Russian envoy said the tensions could only be settled once the two sides agree to negotiations without "humiliating" preconditions and on "equal levels."

He ruled out allegations that Iran was behind the recent mysterious attacks against several vessels near the Emirati oil terminal of al-Fujairah.

"I do believe that in [the] current situation Iran is not interested in benefiting from such cases," he said, adding, "such accusations, which are against Iran we hear time to time, are ... [baseless]," Dzhagaryan added.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who have yet to complete their probe, have suggested that Tehran could be behind the acts of "sabotage." An insurer company has also made such allegations without providing evidence.

American officials, while not directly accusing Iran, have implied that Tehran could have carried out the move.

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Four commercial vessels including oil tankers have been attacked near al-Fujairah port in the United Arab Emirates.

"We have already heard such accusations based on highly likely, probably, evidently and maybe," he said. "Please clarify the situation and put all evidences on the table otherwise such accusations are baseless."

He said no country had contacted Moscow for help in getting to the bottom of the issue.

'Nuclear deal signatories must work to save it'

The envoy said Moscow regretted US President Donald Trump's decision to abandon the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and Washington's pressure on the remaining signatories -- the UK, France, China, Russia and Germany -- to abandon the agreement.

He said it was imperative that all parties worked to save the deal and ensure all obligations were fulfilled.

He said Moscow "understands" Tehran's recent decision to cut back its commitments under the accord in protest to the European Union (EU)'s inaction in the face of US pressure.

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"We expect more active steps from our European partners," he added.

He said Russia was ready to join INSTEX, Europe's solution to evade US sanctions in trade with Iran, but the problem was "it doesn't exist."

He said Russia was going to do business with Iran regardless of the US sanctions because it was "independent" and didn't need permission from Washington.

Iran, Russia defeated Daesh

The Russian ambassador said despite Trump's claims, the US and its allies never achieved real progress in their fight against Daesh and the terror group was defeated when Moscow and Tehran intervened upon Syria's request.

• All Daesh-occupied territory in Syria retaken: Trump

"Thanks to Russia and Iran, we managed to keep the legitimate government of [President] Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian Arab Republic and right now only our military presence -- I mean Iran and Russia -- is legal," he continued.

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