Russian President Vladimir Putin has come out firmly in defense of Tehran, holding the West—particularly the United States—responsible for the collapse of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He criticized the unilateral withdrawal of the U.S. from the agreement, despite Iran’s verified compliance, reported the First post.
“Why the hell should Iranians comply with the demands of the US and EU anymore?” Putin asked, sharply questioning the legitimacy of continued Western pressure on Iran.
Iran has long maintained that it fulfilled all its obligations under the JCPOA, a position backed by repeated assessments from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The deal, signed in 2015, was seen as a major diplomatic breakthrough intended to end sanctions and restore economic stability.
However, in 2018, the U.S. under President Donald Trump withdrew from the pact, reimposed harsh sanctions, and launched a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran. While European nations remained nominally in the deal, they failed to provide the economic relief promised, leaving Iran economically isolated once again.
“We honored our commitments. It was the U.S. that broke the deal, not us,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, reiterating that Tehran has no reason to trust the U.S. without a complete reversal of sanctions.
Putin’s public endorsement of Iran’s position is being viewed in Tehran as significant international support. By stating that the U.S.—not Iran—breached international law, the Russian President reinforced Iran’s long-held position that it should not be expected to return to compliance under duress.
Tehran has made it clear that any re-engagement with the JCPOA must be conditional on the full lifting of U.S. sanctions and an unconditional return to the original terms of the agreement.
Iranian analysts see Putin’s remarks as a geopolitical boost, especially as the country faces mounting scrutiny over its nuclear program and regional activities. The Russian leader’s backing also underscores the growing divide between Western and Eastern blocs in the global power structure.
Observers note that Putin’s defense of Iran may signal a broader shift toward a multipolar world order—one where nations like Iran seek alternatives to Western domination. With Russia’s support, Iran appears more determined than ever to assert its sovereignty and resist geopolitical bullying.
For Iran, Putin’s intervention is not merely about the past; it’s a strategic message for the future—that it will no longer tolerate being scapegoated while others walk away from international agreements without facing any consequences.
