Moscow, 30 March 2023 (TDI): Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, met with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, to discuss a long-term strategic deal, Tehran’s nuclear issue, the Ukrainian war & Azerbaijan-Iran tensions.
🇷🇺🇮🇷 FM Lavrov’s opening remarks at talks with Foreign Minister of Iran @Amirabdolahian:
💬 We are delighted to welcome you to Moscow. I would like to congratulate you on the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.
🔗https://t.co/HWSSavVTgA pic.twitter.com/KP7GqCUqcR
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) March 29, 2023
The meeting focused on enhancing the two countries’ economic and security ties, including financial, commercial, political, cultural, and defense ties.
During their discussion, the foreign ministers of Iran and Russia addressed a long-term strategic agreement and the revival of the JCPOA.
The dialogues emphasized the necessity of sustained conversation and collaboration between the two countries on various economic and security concerns.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov expressed optimism that tensions between Azerbaijan and Iran will be resolved soon. The intricate relationship between the two countries spans 700 kilometers (430 miles).
Iran is suspicious of Azerbaijan’s links with Israel. Relations between the two countries intensified after an attack on Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Tehran in January, killing an Azerbaijani security official and injuring two others.
Azerbaijan summoned Iran’s Ambassador to Baku earlier this month after an Iranian warplane allegedly breached the Azerbaijani border.
Abdollahian also participated in the Dumas’ International Relations Committee, discussing crucial matters with Russian parliamentarians.
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During the Foreign Minister’s visit, the Iranian Embassy in Moscow also announced the launch of services for issuing national ID cards to Iranian citizens.
This vital step would render it more straightforward for Iranian people living in Russia to get official documents and access numerous services.
During the press conference, both Foreign Ministers declared that the deputy foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, Syria, and Türkiye would meet in Moscow next week to bring Türkiye and Syria’s perspectives closer together.
Russian-Iran Ties
Russia and Iran have a long-standing strategic alliance. This engagement has been motivated by mutual goals, such as a desire to challenge the United States’ dominance in the region, promote Middle Eastern stability & pursue economic possibilities.
Russia and Iran have worked closely in several crucial areas, including energy. Russia is Iran’s largest petroleum and natural gas supplier. The two nations have collaborated on joint energy projects, notably the Bushehr nuclear power plant.
Iran and Russia also have collaborated on military and security matters. Russia has delivered advanced weapons and military technology to Iran. The two countries have also undertaken coordinated military drills.
