Context
Russia’s Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev is due to visit Iran on Aug 15, supposedly to talk about the “step-by-step” plan for Tehran’s nuclear program. Russia put forward the “step-by-step” proposal last month, according to which Iran can address concerns over its nuclear program and get rewarded with a gradual lifting of sanctions. Iran has welcomed the proposal and announced it would regard it as a gesture of goodwill. Patrushev is going to Tehran on the invitation of Saeed Jalili, secretary of Iranian Supreme National Security Council. He will meet Jalili, President Ahmadinejad and other top officials during the visit.
