Russian President Vladimir Putin is pressing Iran to agree to a “zero enrichment” deal with the United States, Axios reported over the weekend.

According to the report, Putin told President Trump and Iranian officials that he supports a nuclear deal in which Iran would not be able to enrich uranium.

At the same time, three European officials and an Israeli official confirmed to Axios that Russia encouraged the Iranians not to enrich uranium. Two sources said that Russia even briefed Israel on Putin’s position on the matter.

The Iranian Tasnim agency, which is affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, denied the report.

The development is a significant one as Russia has been Iran’s main diplomatic supporter on the nuclear issue for years.

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)