TEHRAN, Iran 

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday reaffirmed his country’s readiness to implement and operationalize the long-term strategic agreement with Russia.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ashgabat on the sidelines of the forum, which is being held following the UN General Assembly’s declaration of 2025 as the “International Year of Peace and Trust” and to mark the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality status.

Pezeshkian said his government is determined to put into action the agreement the two sides have signed, adding that he expects Moscow to accelerate and finalize its implementation.

The two sides announced the beginning of the treaty’s implementation process in early October, though experts say both countries still need to make substantial efforts to make it fully operational.

Pezeshkian signed the agreement during his January 2025 visit to Moscow with Putin. Iran's parliament approved the treaty in May, following its ratification by Russia's parliament in April.

On October 22, the treaty officially came into effect, with both sides expressing confidence that it will help Tehran and Moscow further strengthen their bilateral ties and regional cooperation.

Beyond economic ties, the treaty also envisages security and intelligence cooperation, which many analysts view as significant amid rising geopolitical tensions, particularly between Iran and Israel.

During his meeting with Putin on Friday, Pezeshkian expressed satisfaction with the "good and expanding level of relations" between Tehran and Moscow and thanked Russia for its support of Iran in international bodies.

“We are determined to operationalize the agreement we have signed. Joint cooperation, especially in the fields of power plants, transportation, and transit corridors, is being actively pursued," state-run news agency IRNA quoted the Iranian president as saying.

“With regard to the corridor project, Iran will have all grounds for full implementation prepared by the end of the year. We expect the Russian side to also accelerate and finalize the implementation process of these agreements.”

For his part, Putin described the signing of the comprehensive cooperation pact between the two countries as a "turning point in bilateral relations," according to IRNA.

He added that Tehran and Moscow remain in close contact on sensitive international issues, including Iran’s nuclear file, and emphasized that Russia supports Iran.

Earlier in the day, speaking at the forum, Pezeshkian said any effort to strengthen the discourse of peace will receive the support of the Iranian people and government.

He denounced Israel for pursuing "aggressive policies" ranging from genocidal crimes in Gaza and expanding settlements in the West Bank to attacks on Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and Qatar.

"When one actor is exempted from international oversight, the foundations of injustice deepen, and the roots of sustainable peace are undermined," he noted.