Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says cooperation with Russia can help promote stability in the region, as the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to continued engagement on regional and international issues.
Araghchi made the remarks during a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Tehran on Monday.
“Cooperation between Iran and Russia will play a proper role in establishing stability in the region. We are determined to continue our relations.”
Pointing to “close” cooperation and consultations between Tehran and Moscow, Araghchi said both sides share the view that regional issues had no military solution and should be settled through diplomacy and political channels.
He said he discussed insecurity in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz with his Russian counterpart, which is a “direct” result of the US-Israeli military aggression against Iran that began on February 28 and still continues in various forms.
“The war imposed by the US and the Zionist regime (Israel) and economic blockade are the main sources of insecurity in our region,” the Iranian foreign minister stated.
Araghchi also voiced serious concern over security developments in the Caspian Sea, particularly attacks on vessels, warning that such incidents could have grave and direct consequences for regional peace and security.
He said such security challenges would cause “irreparable” damage to the Caspian Sea’s fragile environment.
On the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Araghchi said Iran and Russia shared common views on the need to ease tensions between Kabul and Islamabad and coordinate efforts to counter terrorist threats.
The Iranian foreign minister said Tehran and Moscow were determined to continue consultations on these issues.
Araghchi said the talks also covered Palestine, Lebanon and Yemen, emphasizing that the genocide of Palestinians and the Israeli regime’s dangerous expansionism in the region must be stopped.
Tehran and Moscow share opposition to US unilateralism
He noted that Tehran and Moscow shared opposition to US unilateralism and would continue working together through international circles to promote multilateralism.
Araghchi reiterated that Iran and Russia would maintain cooperation within the BRICS group of emerging economies and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
He noted that talks with his Russian counterpart were important, intensive and productive, saying the strategic bilateral relations have entered a new phase following the signing and implementation of a 20-year comprehensive strategic partnership treaty.
He said economic cooperation between Tehran and Moscow was progressing favorably, adding that there were no major obstacles to expanding bilateral economic ties.
Iran and Russia officially began executing a 20-year comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in October 2025, marking a significant step towards strengthening their bilateral ties. The treaty was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Moscow on January 17, 2025.
The Iranian foreign minister further expressed confidence that the talks with his Russian counterpart would play a constructive role in deepening relations between the two countries and consolidating lasting regional stability and security.
Russia committed to strategic partnership, opposes attempts to justify war on Iran: Lavrov
The Russian foreign minister, for his part, said his country has demonstrated in practice that it honors its obligations under the strategic partnership treaty with Iran.
Lavrov added that Russia had also pursued principled positions to oppose efforts at the United Nations aimed at justifying the US-Israeli aggression against Iran, noting that Moscow had sent humanitarian aid, including medicines and food supplies, to the Iranian people.
He emphasized that both countries were determined to continue expanding their comprehensive cooperation dynamically and vigorously despite regional developments and external pressures.
Heading a diplomatic delegation, the Russian foreign minister arrived in Tehran on Monday to meet top Iranian officials on his first visit since the launch of the US-Israeli war against Iran almost eight months ago.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Sunday that Lavrov’s trip falls within the framework of ongoing consultations between Tehran and Moscow and aims to advance agreements previously signed by the two sides.