Iran, Russia Emphasize Strategic Partnership in Key Talks

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who is in Moscow for talks with senior Russian officials, met on Tuesday afternoon with the chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian State Duma, along with several Duma members and their advisers, according to a correspondent accompanying the Iranian delegation.

The meeting was hosted by Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the State Duma. During the talks, the two sides exchanged views on Iran–Russia bilateral relations as well as the perspectives of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation on current trends in international relations.

Araghchi described the meeting at the State Duma as a valuable opportunity to explore ways to further develop Iran–Russia relations and to underscore the role of the two parliaments in facilitating bilateral cooperation. Referring to ongoing contacts between various parliamentary committees of Iran’s Majles (Parliament) and the Russian State Duma, he expressed hope that parliamentary diplomacy between the two countries would expand alongside cooperation in other fields.

The Iranian foreign minister said relations between Iran and Russia, founded on a strategic partnership, serve the mutual interests of both nations and contribute to regional and international peace and security. He emphasized the shared determination of the two countries’ leaders to steadily strengthen cooperation across all areas.

Araghchi also pointed to the intensification of aggressive unilateralism by the United States and the growing disregard for international law, warning against its replacement with an order based on force. He stressed the importance of cooperation among independent countries, including Iran and Russia, to reinforce multilateralism and uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter. He added that Tehran and Moscow will continue their cooperation within international and regional frameworks such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Eurasian Economic Union.

Leonid Slutsky said the meeting provided a suitable platform to bring the views of the two countries closer and to enhance coordination on bilateral and international issues. Referring to the shared positions of Iran and Russia on many regional and global matters, he underlined the need to fully utilize existing capacities to expand cooperation in economic, trade, transport, transit, energy, tourism, and industrial sectors, drawing on the comprehensive Iran–Russia strategic partnership treaty.

Several members of the Russian State Duma also shared their views on bilateral relations and Iran–Russia cooperation on regional and international issues. Hassan Ghashghavi, a member of Iran’s Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Commission who is accompanying the foreign minister on this trip, outlined the Majles’ plans to support the strengthening and expansion of Iran–Russia relations and cooperation.

Iran and Russia maintain a strategic partnership and have expanded cooperation in recent years through bilateral mechanisms and multilateral frameworks, including BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Eurasian Economic Union. Parliamentary engagement remains a key component of efforts by both countries to enhance political, economic, and regional coordination amid evolving international dynamics.