Raisi To Address Russian Duma On 20 Jan As Nuclear Deal Talks Continue

Russia's Tass reports that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will address the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, on 20 January. Raisi's trip to Russia has been mooted for some time, and this statement seems to confirm that he will visit from 19 January onwards.

• Talks between the Iranian and Russian gov'ts seen as crucial in the context of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA, the Iran nuclear deal).
• Russia is a signatory to the deal, and is viewed as the gov't with the most influence over the decision making process within the Iranian regime. While talks in Vienna between JCPoA signatories are ongoing the input of Russia in reaching a deal on removing sanctions in exchange for Iranian compliance likely to be required in order to find agreement.