MOSCOW (Dispatches) -- Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu has expressed his country’s determination to keep enhancing cooperation with Iran in the military-technical field.
Sergei Shoigu told his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Ahmadian here that Tehran-Moscow relations are actively developing in all sectors.
Regular contacts between the leaders of the two countries indicate a “high level of Russian-Iranian political dialogue,” he added.
Shoigu referred to an agreement signed by Iran and Russia on a comprehensive strategic partnership, saying the 20-year deal provides a legal basis for developing political, security, economic, cultural, and social ties between the two countries.
Ahmadian, for his part, emphasized that the implementation of bilateral agreements will significantly increase the volume of Tehran-Moscow economic exchanges.
Meanwhile, the top Iranian and Russian security officials called for strengthening cooperation between the two countries in regional and international arenas.
Iran and Russia, both subject to illegal Western sanctions, have over the past years deepened their relations in a range of areas.
On April 21, Putin officially ratified the landmark pact. A month later, the Iranian parliament approved the agreement that includes defense cooperation, the fight against terrorism, collaboration in the energy and industrial sectors, financial integration, transportation infrastructure development, agricultural partnership, and exchanges in the areas of culture, science, and technology.
Separately, Ahmadian said cooperation between Tehran and Beijing can bring security and economic prosperity to the region.
In a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Chen Wenqing, Ahmadian touched on the upcoming visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to China, noting that the two sides would focus on implementing the existing agreements.
He further emphasized the need to raise the level of trade exchanges to match that of political relations, adding that Iran always keeps its allies informed about the course of its negotiations with other parties.
Chen, for his part, said that Iran is one of the influential countries in the region and that Beijing attaches great importance to its ties with Tehran.
He also warned of plots to obstruct Iran-China cooperation, noting that bilateral relations have entered a new phase and that, with the continued efforts of the leaders of the countries, this cooperation will reach the highest level.
Iran and China signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement in 2021, which outlines details of their plan to advance their strategic ties over the following 25 years.
China remains Iran’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching significant levels despite external pressures.
Both countries have faced illegal and unilateral sanctions imposed by external actors, most notably the United States.