Iran-Russia Ties Strategic, Longstanding: Velayati
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The cooperation between Iran and Russia in the war against terrorism, in international organizations, and in the military, economic, nuclear and security spheres signify their strategic and longstanding relations, Iran’s special envoy said.
Speaking to reporters before a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Ali Akbar Velayati, an international adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, hailed the close interaction between Tehran and Moscow.
“The regional cooperation between the front of resistance, led by Iran, and Russia in countering terrorism and its sponsors in Syria and other countries of the region is an excellent example of Iran-Russia cooperation, which could be justified only by strategic and long-term relations,” the Iranian envoy said.
Describing Russia’s support for Iran in the United Nations and the two countries’ mutual cooperation on the Iran nuclear deal as another indicator of strategic partnership, Velayati said the bilateral ties in the defense, political, economic, nuclear and security areas signify plans for long-term cooperation.
Voicing concern about the “delicate conditions” in the world under the policies of the “rebellious” US president who is violating the international law, Velayati said such circumstances necessitate closer cooperation between Iran and Russia.
He further hoped that his trip to Russia would mark “a turning point in the strategic relations” between Tehran and Moscow.
Velayati, also acting as a special envoy of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, has travelled to Russia to submit messages from Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and also the Iranian president to the Russian leader.
Iranian Foreign Ministry says Velayati’s trip is part of plans to send special envoys to other countries to convey messages of top Iranian leaders after the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
“In these messages, our country’s views and stances regarding the US’ selfish and illegal behavior are explained to other countries,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said Wednesday.
On May 8, the US president pulled his country out of the JCPOA, which was achieved in 2015 after years of negotiations among Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).
Following the US exit, Iran and the remaining parties launched talks to save the accord.