Strengthening ties with Russia a ‘foreign policy priority’ for Iran: Pezeshkian

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has described Russia as a “strategic partner” of the Islamic Republic, stressing that the expansion of relations with Moscow is a top foreign policy priority of his government.

Pezeshkian made the remarks in a Monday meeting with Secretary of Russia's Security Council Sergei Shoigu, who was in Tehran on a day-long visit to hold talks with Iranian authorities.

He noted that Russia has been a steadfast ally during Iran's challenging times and underscored the need to expedite the implementation of agreements reached between the two countries. 

"We believe that the era of unilateralism by certain powers, including the United States, is over,” the president said. “The alignment of positions and collaboration between Iran and Russia in promoting a multipolar world will undoubtedly enhance global security and peace.”

The visit by Shoigu comes amid heightened tensions in the region after Israel assassinated Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, in Tehran on Wednesday, pushing the region to the brink.

Tehran has vowed that the brazen act of aggression on its soil will not go unanswered.

The Iranian president said on Monday that the assassination of Haniyeh was a blatant violation of international laws and regulations.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is in no way seeking to expand the scope of war and crisis in the region, but certainly this regime will receive a response for its crimes and audacity," he said.

Moscow has also strongly condemned the assassination of Haniyeh, who was a key negotiator in ceasefire talks for Gaza. Senior Russian officials have said that those behind the killing were seeking to scuttle any hope of peace in the region and to draw the United States into confrontation with Iran.

During the meeting on Monday, Pezeshkian condemned Israel’s horrific crimes in Gaza as well as its efforts to spread the war in the entire region.

Shoigu, for his part, congratulated Pezeshkian once again on his election as president of Iran and described the Islamic Republic as a key strategic ally of Russia in the region.

Expressing satisfaction with Russia and Iran’s joint efforts to create a “multipolar world” and ensure regional security, he emphasized that relations between the two allies are growing across all sectors.

Before meeting with Pezeshkian, Shoigu sat down with Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri.

Gen. Bagheri described the Iran-Russia relations as “strategic and deep-rooted”, and said both sides were determined to work on further expanding bilateral ties.

He said the change of governments will not disrupt the improvement of ties between Tehran and Moscow.

The top Iranian general noted that the United States is now aware that the era of unilateralism is over. “We will welcome tripartite cooperation among Iran, Russia and China,” he said.

Shoigu, in response, said Russia is keen to strengthen all-out cooperation with Iran on regional issues.

Shoigu’s visit to Tehran was on the invitation of his Iranian counterpart, Ali Akbar Ahmadian, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Tasnim news agency reported.

The two met earlier in the day to discuss regional developments.

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