U.S. President Donald Trump displays a signed presidential memorandum at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on May 8, 2018. (Xinhua/Ting Shen)
MOSCOW, May 10 (Xinhua) -- The Iran nuclear deal should be preserved despite the U.S. decision to withdraw from it, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday.
At a joint press conference with his German counterpart Heiko Maas, Lavrov said it's important that all other signatories to the agreement promptly assess the situation, hold necessary consultations, and elaborate steps that could help preserve it.
The deal is crucial for regional stability and maintaining the non-proliferation of mass destruction weapons regime, Lavrov said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States will withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, and impose "the highest level" of economic sanctions on Tehran, triggering global outcry.
The landmark nuclear pact was signed in 2015 by Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States) plus the European Union (EU) and Germany.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that his country will stay in the deal with other signatories.
Lavrov said Russia values Iran's "balanced" position and will hold consultations on the future of the pact with the other signatories.
Maas said he plans to hold a meeting next week with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, as well as the foreign ministers of Britain, France and possibly other countries to discuss the issue.