FM LAVROV IN TEHRAN
Russia, Iran Accelerate Trade and Investment Drive
TEHRAN -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that Moscow and Tehran are pressing ahead with their economic and investment agreements, as he and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi declared the bilateral relationship “strategic” and reviewed progress under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty.
Speaking at a joint press conference here, Lavrov said the two countries have “excellent foundations for moving forward” and that the 20-year partnership treaty, which came into force on October 2, 2026, is “an important document.”
He said Russia will continue implementing its economic and investment agreements with Iran and that the treaty has opened a new chapter in ties.
Araghchi said the relationship is “strategic” and that implementation of the treaty has given bilateral ties “new dimensions.”
He said the ministers examined practical solutions for expanding political, cultural and commercial relations, and that economic cooperation is progressing well.
Lavrov said last year saw 21 percent growth in bilateral trade,
and that the second meeting of the joint committee between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Commission was held five days ago.
He said Russia is ready for cooperation in trade and investment, and that the two countries are working on oil and gas projects as well as the Rasht-Astara railway.
The two sides reviewed the implementation of agreements reached during recent meetings between President Vladimir Putin and President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Araghchi said Iran and Russia share a consensus in opposing U.S. unilateralism and work within international institutions for multilateralism, including through BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Lavrov said the two countries will strengthen cooperation in global bodies including BRICS, the SCO and the United Nations, and that unilateral sanctions are illegal and violate international law.
Araghchi said the ministers discussed the Persian Gulf, the Caucasus, Europe and Ukraine, and that they shared the view that regional issues have no military solution and must be pursued politically.
He said they also addressed Palestine and Yemen, calling for an end to the genocide of Palestinians. He expressed serious concern over security developments in the Caspian Sea and attacks on ships there, saying they have serious consequences for regional peace.
Lavrov condemned U.S. attacks on Iran and said the two countries will continue coordinating within international frameworks.
He said Russia would respect Iran’s decision if Tehran chose to join the Mecca Pact, recalling that Moscow has welcomed the formation of the grouping.
Later on Monday, Lavrov met President Masoud Pezeshkian. The meeting focused on bilateral relations and the latest regional and international developments, with discussions on ways to strengthen joint cooperation between Tehran and Moscow.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said before the visit that the talks would focus on trade, economic and investment cooperation, as well as major joint projects in transport, logistics and energy.
It said the two sides would discuss “the current situation in Iran and around it, including efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region and ensure reliable security in the Middle East.”
The visit was the fourth in-person meeting between Lavrov and Araghchi in 2026, in addition to 14 telephone conversations between them during the year. Lavrov’s last visit to Iran was in February 2025.
Separately in Dushanbe, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin told Iranian First Vice President Muhammad Reza Aref on Monday that expanding trade and economic cooperation with Tehran is a priority for Moscow, as the two sides met on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
Mishustin said Russia has provided extensive humanitarian assistance to Iran after the U.S.-Israeli military aggression. He asked Aref to convey greetings from President Putin to President Pezeshkian.
The Russian prime minister highlighted progress on the International North-South Transport Corridor, saying its development would help establish new production and logistics chains across Eurasia.
He said bilateral trade volume is growing despite geopolitical challenges and what he called illegal sanctions imposed on both countries.
Aref said Iran attaches great importance to developing bilateral relations with Russia and described Moscow as an important strategic partner despite geopolitical challenges.
He requested that Russia reinforce its southern Caspian ports to safeguard bilateral trade, saying Iran is relieving its northern ports and wants Russia to do the same so the two countries can support each other along these routes.
Aref also raised the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran has no choice but to exercise sovereignty over the waterway to preserve its security, and that the United States is responsible for the current conditions there and must bear the cost.
He warned against attempts to turn the Caspian Sea into a new source of insecurity, saying attacks on ships there aim to sow discord between Iran and Russia.
The talks also covered energy cooperation, including the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk.
Overchuk said the two sides discussed Tehran’s cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union and the free trade agreement between them.
Aref arrived in Dushanbe early Monday to attend the SCO heads of government meeting. During his two-day visit, he is also scheduled to hold talks with several counterparts attending the gathering.
The previous meeting between Mishustin and Aref was held in November 2025 on the sidelines of the SCO prime ministers’ meeting in Moscow.