Iran and Russia strengthen ties amid growing isolation from the West

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss enhancing bilateral ties and regional and international cooperation.

Tehran and Moscow “will pursue the strengthening of their regional and international cooperation within organizations [they are members in] such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union, and BRICS,” Iran’s state news agency IRNA quoted Pezeshkian as stating.

The Iranian President additionally expressed satisfaction with the growing bilateral relations noting that “Iran and Russia possess ample potential to enhance their collaboration, and we are determined to strengthen the Tehran-Moscow ties.”

For his part, the Russian foreign minister was quoted as reiterating to Pezeshkian Moscow’s “commitment to fostering the growth of cooperation between the two countries and expediting the execution of their bilateral agreements, particularly the comprehensive strategic agreement.”

In mid-January, Pezeshkian and Russian President Putin signed a landmark treaty formalizing the growing Russia-Iran partnership. The treaty focuses on areas like energy, transport, and regional security, reflecting deeper ties amid Russia's isolation from the West. While signaling a long-term partnership, the cooperation is expected to develop gradually, limited by both countries' restricted international options.

Lavrov highlighted the “significance of Iran’s upcoming membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, viewing it as a valuable new opportunity for enhancing economic and trade relations.”

The Russian diplomat additionally met with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi to discuss “countering Western sanctions and Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities,” reported IRNA.

The Iranian foreign minister stated that “Tehran and Moscow are resolved to continue political and technical consultations on international and multilateral issues.” Araghchi noted that he exchanged views with his Russian counterpart on “countering hostile and unilateral Western sanctions” and Iran’s “peaceful nuclear activities.”

The Iranian diplomat stressed that his country “will not hold negotiations with the United States on its nuclear program as long as a ‘maximum pressure’ campaign… continues to be enforced,” adding that Iran “will coordinate its positions on the nuclear issue in cooperation with our friends in Russia and China.”

In early February, US President Donald Trump restored the maximum pressure policy against Iran, in a bid to drive its oil exports down to zero. Trump argued that Iran is “too close” to obtaining nuclear weapons, adding that “the US has the right to block the sale of Iranian oil to other nations.” In the same address, the American president expressed interest in negotiating a deal with Tehran.

For his part, the Russian foreign minister on Tuesday relayed his country’s belief that “diplomacy is still the best option to resolve” the standoff over Iran’s nuclear program which Tehran “did not create.”

The Russian diplomat said he hoped a joint economic cooperation commission would be established this year to streamline trade transactions between Russia and Iran. He pointed out that trade exchanges between Iran and Russia have increased by over 13 percent, saying he was positive this “positive trend” will continue.

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