Iran has signaled its readiness to ink a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with Russia during the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan. The announcement was made by Iran's president-elect, Massoud Pezeshkian, during a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"The preparation of documents for a comprehensive cooperation agreement between Iran and Russia has been finalized, and we are ready to sign it on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia," reported IRNA news agency, quoting Pezeshkian. He underscored the significant value Iran places on its relations with Russia, describing the country as a "friend and neighbor," and pledged to further strengthen these ties.
During their discussion, Pezeshkian highlighted the importance of bilateral cooperation within BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and other international and regional platforms. The president-elect assured that the new Iranian government would exert every effort to implement the agreements previously reached between Iran and Russia under President Ebrahim Raisi, who tragically died in a plane crash on May 19.
The telephone exchange between the two presidents took place on the evening of July 8. According to the Kremlin press service, both Putin and Pezeshkian expressed their satisfaction with the current state of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further collaboration. The Russian president also extended his congratulations to his Iranian counterpart on his election victory.
Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that the new Russian-Iranian treaty will formalize at the state level the comprehensive strategic partnership between Moscow and Tehran. Zakharova noted that since the signing of the Treaty on the Basics of Relations and Principles of Cooperation between Russia and Iran in December 2001, both the international landscape and bilateral relations have evolved significantly, currently experiencing an unprecedented surge.
The BRICS group, initially formed in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, expanded to include South Africa in 2011. Starting January 1, 2024, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia joined as full members. Russia currently holds the presidency of the association, with the highlight of the year being the BRICS summit scheduled for October 22-24 in Kazan.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on TASS materials