Russia ready to strengthen cooperation with Iran in all sectors, ambassador says

TEHRAN – Russia hopes to continue and expand cooperation with Iran under its new administration, Russian Ambassador to Iran Alexei Dedov said.

“We congratulate the people and leadership of the Islamic Republic on the successful elections,” Dedov said in an interview with TASS. “We hope that under the leadership of the new government, constructive Russian-Iranian cooperation will continue to develop in all areas. The Russian side is fully ready for this,” he stressed.

Dedov noted that the last elections were held in a proper order. He also mentioned that foreign dignitaries are expected to attend the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President-elect Massoud Pezeshkian.

Iran’s snap presidential runoff election, necessitated by the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, was held on July 5. Masoud Pezeshkian, a veteran parliamentarian and former health minister, emerged victorious with 53.6 percent of the vote, defeating mainline candidate Saeed Jalili, who received 44.3 percent.

Russia’s willingness to strengthen cooperation with Iran covers several areas, which underlines the strength of bilateral relations between the two countries. The new Iranian administration should further promote this cooperation, building on the established foundations and taking into account mutual interests.

On June 11, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow’s readiness to finalize a comprehensive long-term cooperation agreement with Iran. At a press conference following the BRICS Foreign Ministers Council meeting in Nizhny Novgorod, Lavrov confirmed that the process was progressing as planned.

“Although the draft text of the cooperation agreement between Iran and Russia is fully approved, it cannot be signed yet,” Lavrov noted. The agreement still needs to be approved by the presidents of the two countries. “Signing on the Iranian side requires the completion of certain legal procedures related to the content of the contract.”

Lavrov stressed that these procedures were ongoing, but assured that Moscow had reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement during a meeting with Iranian acting Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri Kani. “The signing of this agreement will raise relations between Tehran and Moscow to a significantly higher level,” Lavrov said.

In an interview on June 12 on the sidelines of the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in Nizhny Novgorod, Baqeri Kani stressed that Iran and Russia are neighboring countries with historical relations. “In recent years, relations between the two countries have intensified and the two countries share similar challenges and threats, which fosters several opportunities for cooperation,” he said.

The strategic agreement between Iran and Russia is considered a crucial step in strengthening bilateral relations and improving cooperation in various fields. The ongoing negotiations and coordination efforts underscore the importance that both countries attach to formalizing their strategic partnership. As the process progresses, the finalized agreement is expected to significantly boost diplomatic and economic relations.