Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will make an official visit to Iran. During his trip, he is scheduled to meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, according to the press service of the Russian government.
As noted on the Russian government’s website, this will be Mishustin’s first visit to Iran as head of the cabinet. However, the Russian prime minister has actively engaged with Iranian leadership in the past, including holding regular meetings with former First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber.
Masoud Pezeshkian was elected as Iran's president in July 2024, following the tragic death of his predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, in a plane crash. These talks in Tehran will mark the first high-level meeting between Russia and Iran since Pezeshkian took office. Nonetheless, Moscow and Tehran have maintained regular contacts, including at the highest levels.
In mid-September, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu visited Iran and delivered a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Pezeshkian. Additionally, a personal meeting between the two leaders is expected to take place in October at the BRICS summit in Kazan.
Extensive Agenda for Talks
According to the Russian government’s press service, Mishustin plans to discuss “the full range of Russian-Iranian cooperation in trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian areas.” The meeting materials highlight Moscow and Tehran’s particular interest in implementing “major joint projects in transport, industry, energy, education,” as well as agriculture.
Russia and Iran are already collaborating in the nuclear sector, with Russian specialists having built the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, and work is underway on two more reactors. Moreover, the two nations are working on the full launch of the “North-South” International Transport Corridor, which will establish a direct railway connection between the Baltic Sea and the Indian Ocean.
The Russian government also emphasizes the strengthening of ties between Russian and Iranian regions, and Tehran’s growing interest in Russian culture. On July 17, Iran completed the necessary procedures to open a Russian Cultural Center in the Islamic Republic, as demand for Russian language studies has been steadily increasing in recent years.
A crucial step in advancing relations between the two countries will be the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, for which all procedures have been completed. The Free Trade Agreement between Tehran and the members of the Eurasian Economic Union is also awaiting ratification. In addition, Iran has already joined two organizations that include Russia – BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on TASS materials