Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian had in a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, addressing current issues in the relationship between the two nations and the situation in the South Caucasus.
According to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the ministers discussed "the latest developments in the South Caucasus, the current state of cooperation and bilateral relations, as well as some issues on the regional and international agenda." Abdollahian expressed Iran's support for the ongoing negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia to establish a lasting peace agreement, emphasizing Iran's commitment to peace and stability in the region.
The Iranian statement highlighted Lavrov's reiteration of Russia's recognition of Iran's territorial integrity. Lavrov was quoted as saying, "Russia sincerely, honestly and unconditionally respects Iran's territorial integrity. This is Moscow's unchangeable position."
In recent developments, the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned Russia's Chargé d'affaires in Tehran concerning the final statement of the 6th session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum (RACF). The statement referenced the territorial dispute over the islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa in the Persian Gulf, leading to a protest note from Iran.
The Russian embassy reported to TASS that Ambassador Alexei Dedov is currently out of the country, and in his absence, Minister Counselor Rafael Gevorgyan, who has been summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, is handling his duties.
This incident follows a similar protest made by Iran's Foreign Ministry to Dedov on July 12, prompted by a ministerial meeting within the strategic dialog between Russia and the Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf. The meeting's statement expressed support for peace efforts, including the initiative of the United Arab Emirates to resolve the disputed island issue through bilateral negotiations or the UN International Court of Justice. The islands—Big Tomb, Little Tomb, and Abu Musa—are subjects of a long-standing territorial dispute between Tehran and Abu Dhabi in the strategically vital Persian Gulf region.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS