SAEDNEWS: Iran’s Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali has said recent high-level talks between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin produced constructive outcomes on major strategic projects, including the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and plans to transfer Russian gas to Iran.
Speaking at a meeting with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iranian diplomatic staff in Moscow, Ambassador Jalali highlighted the outcomes of the December 12 meeting in Turkmenistan between the two presidents, describing the discussions as wide-ranging and forward-looking.
According to Jalali, both presidents reviewed regional and international developments alongside practical cooperation projects. Particular attention was given to the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), including progress on the Rasht–Astara railway and broader multimodal routes spanning eastern, central (land–sea via the Caspian Sea), and western axes. He emphasized that the corridor is not limited to a single rail line but represents a comprehensive logistics network benefiting regional economies.
Jalali also highlighted efforts to expand ties in aviation and tourism, noting interest in launching direct flights between Russia and Kish Island. In agriculture, he said Iran’s unused grain-processing capacity could position the country, through collaboration with Russia, as a regional grain hub supplying neighboring states, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
Further areas of cooperation include promising contracts in information and communications technology. Jalali stressed the role of provincial diplomacy, noting reciprocal visits by delegations from 17 Iranian provinces to Russian regions over the past six years.
Foreign Minister Araghchi arrived in Moscow on Tuesday as part of regional consultations. During his visit, he met Russian lawmakers, is scheduled to speak at MGIMO University, and will hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other officials, covering bilateral relations, regional issues, and the Iranian nuclear program.
Memorial Honors Late Foreign Minister in Moscow
During the visit, Araghchi unveiled a commemorative memorial for the late Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at the Iranian embassy residence in Moscow. The ceremony paid tribute to Amir-Abdollahian’s contributions to Iranian diplomacy and included the inauguration of a name plaque for the embassy staff residential complex, underscoring continuity and remembrance within Iran’s diplomatic mission in Russia.
