Iran and Russia seek to launch a new era of cooperation with Iranian president’s two-day visit to Moscow.
The presidents of Iran and Russia have both voiced interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation in their first direct meeting. During Ebrahim Raisi’s first visit to Moscow, the two addressed regional and worldwide concerns.
Putin welcomed Raisi to the Kremlin as part of an unprecedented Iranian president’s visit to the country in five years. Raisi took hold of the power in Iran five months in a general election the occurred two months earlier.
Raisi informed Putin at the meeting, which took place mostly behind closed doors, that Tehran sees no barriers to deepening ties with Moscow. According to the Iranian president, the two nations’ ties have been upgraded to a “strategic” level and will continue to flourish.
Iranian president also referred to the potential for the two sides to expand economic cooperation. “Boosting bilateral cooperation between Iran and Russia will lead to the development of the two countries’ economies and increased security across the region and the world,” Ebrahim Raisi asserted.
Other sectors where the two may collaborate, according to Raisi, include counter-terrorism and criminal networks. He said that the two country’s successful practice in Syria, where both parties had backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against the terrorists, could be used to Afghanistan and other fronts.
Raisi also suggested that NATO penetration in the Caucasus and Central Asia will endanger the shared interests of sovereign countries. Iranian president referred to NATO while in recent months, the West and Russia have been in disputes over Ukraine. Moscow has bolstered its military presence along the Ukrainian borderline since weeks before the Christmas.
Raisi’s insistence on long-decade antagonism against the US was another sphere based on which the president stressed on common approaches.
Iran and Russia; A Turning Point
During the meeting between heads of Iran and Russia, Tehran has also submitted a draft paperwork for a fresh 20-year collaboration pact to Moscow. The latest deal between the two countries ended last year. The two governments have been trying to reinforce the official ties in various spheres since then.
In Tehran and before leaving for Moscow, Iranian president had indicated that the visit would be a “turning point” in the mutual ties between Iran and Russia. The two countries can enhance their collaboration, according to Raisi, in various spheres including policy-making, economy, trade, and military conducts.
On the other side of Table, Russian president welcomed the close ties between the two eastern nations. Putin also hailed the cooperation in Syria, saying it helped the Syrian government face the dangers presented by foreign terrorists.
In another part of his remarks, Vladimir Putin referred to the efforts to revive the nuclear deal in Vienna. Along with the US, UK, Germany, France, and China, Russia is a major party in the original and ongoing negotiations with Tehran on the JCPOA.
Russian president also expressed alarms about the circumstances in Afghanistan, saying he would want to speak with Raisi about it. He also stated that Iran’s ties with the Eurasian Economic Union are improving, and that both parties are striving to establish a free trade zone.
Raisi’s bid to expand ties with Moscow occurs at the heels of revelation about launching a 25-year agreement with China.
Tehran’s regional and trans-regional activism must be seen in light of Washington’s loss of influence in the Middle East. Concerned about Chinese economic power and Russian military influence, Washington prioritized the two over the Middle East. Tehran seems to be taking the time to boost influence based on long-time interests.
