ST. PETERSBURG: Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Friday that the US exit from the Iranian nuclear deal could trigger dangerous instability and raise new threats for Israel if Tehran resumes a full-fledged nuclear programme.

“We can’t sort things out with North Korea. Do we want another problem on the same scale?” Putin asked at a business forum.

The Russian leader said the US withdrawal from the 2015 agreement came even as the international nuclear watchdog confirmed that Tehran was fulfilling its obligations. “What should it be punished for, then?” Putin asked.

President Donald Trump’s administration has demanded that Iran stop the enrichment of uranium and end its involvement in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Afghanistan in order to negotiate a new deal.

Putin underlined that former President Barack Obama’s administration played the key role in negotiating the Iran deal, and he emphasised that the drastic shift in US policy highlighted risks for global stability.

“If international agreements are revised every four years it would offer zero horizon for planning,” Putin said. “It will create the atmosphere of nervousness and lack of trust.” While Israel hailed the US withdrawal, Putin warned that the move could eventually hurt Israeli security if the deal completely falls apart.

“Would it be better for Israel if Iran opts out of the deal or is pushed out of it?” he asked. “In that case, its nuclear activities would become totally non-transparent. What kind of risks will it entail?” The Iran deal was the first time Russia, France, Germany and others had agreed on a major international issue since relations between Russia and the West chilled over Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Moscow’s hopes for better ties with Washington under Trump have fizzled amid investigations into alleged collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia. Speaking at the panel, Putin again denied any meddling in the US election in 2016.

While criticising the US policy on Iran, Putin had some warm words for Trump and held out hope for holding a summit with him.

“We certainly can’t be happy with the level and nature of Russia-US relations,” Putin said. “We are ready for dialogue. It long has become overdue.” He also suggested that Trump might have won a few points domestically by exiting the Iran deal. “He fulfilled his campaign promises and in that sense he might have won in terms of domestic politics,” Putin said.

The Russian leader also engaged in a tongue-in-cheek exchange with French President Emmanuel Macron, saying with a smile that Russia could help protect Europe if its rift with the US widens over Iran.

“Don’t you worry, we will help ensure your security,” Putin said. Macron responded on a serious note that France and its allies could stand for themselves.

In his speech at the forum and during talks with Putin on Thursday, Macron called for closer ties between France and Russia despite their differences.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2018