Russia-Iran cooperation 'advanced to new level,' says minister

MOSCOW

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu said on Wednesday that cooperation between Moscow and Tehran advanced to a new level.

The US and its allies attempted but failed to derail the process of cordial Russian-Iranian relations, Shoygu said during a meeting with Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani in Tehran.

"We are aimed at implementing the entire range of planned activities, despite opposition from the United States and its Western allies. We are pleased to note that the Russian-Iranian dialogue is developing particularly intensively today," he said.

The minister expressed readiness to continue working with Iran to strengthen security and stability in the Middle East and suggested discussing "several issues of mutual interest."

Ashtiani, for his part, said defense and military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow “has always been supported by the top leadership” to bolster security and stability in the region.

Iran and Russia are working on a long-term military cooperation agreement that will take effect in the near future, the Iranian defense minister said.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei believes that long-term cooperation between the two countries “is in the interest of both nations,” he added.

Ashtiani underlined the importance of mutual cooperation between Iran and Russia in dealing with “common challenges, including the unilateralism of the US.”

He said the rise of regional organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS are “signs of the desire of the world countries for a multipolar system.”

The top military official said that maintaining the territorial integrity of regional countries and international borders is “one of the red lines of the Islamic Republic of Iran”, adding that the 3+3 format can “peacefully solve problems” in the Caucasus region.

Commenting on the refusal of the UK, France and Germany to revoke sanctions on Iran over its missile program, Ashtiani said the move was a “clear violation of Europe's obligations” under the 2015 nuclear deal.

In Tehran, the Russian defense minister attended an exhibition of the Aerospace Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the ministry said in a separate statement.

Shoygu was shown missile weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and Iranian-made air defense equipment, it noted.

The IRGC exhibition showcases achievements of Iran's aerospace industry, including the latest models of drones, missiles, and tactical missile systems, as well as long- and medium-range ballistic missiles and captured American-made drones.