President Urges Expansion of Iran-Russia Military Ties
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called for the promotion of military and defense cooperation with Russia.
In a Tuesday meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Tehran, Rouhani stressed the need for the enhancement of military and defense cooperation between Tehran and Moscow considering the termination of a UN arms embargo on Iran in October 2020.
He also emphasized the necessity of preserving regional peace and stability, saying security of the region must be ensured by the regional states themselves.
Highlighting Iran’s willingness to boost regional cooperation with the purpose of ensuring peace and stability, the Iranian president described it as a strategic action against the US’ unilateralism and interference in regional affairs.
The president also called for efforts to broaden the economic and trade ties between Tehran and Moscow, saying the bilateral relations must grow without any influence from foreign pressures.
Rouhani further praised Russia’s stances in support of the nuclear negotiations and the efforts to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), adding, “Today, the US and the whole world have come to the conclusion that the maximum pressures have failed and the only way for the US to rejoin the JCPOA is to lift the sanctions.”
For his part, the visiting Russian minister said there are no limits to the promotion of cooperation with Iran, including the defense and technical interaction.
Russia and Iran have common goals when it comes to regional and international cooperation, Lavrov added.
Pointing to the most recent round of JCPOA meetings in Vienna and the US’ willingness to return to the nuclear accord, the Russian diplomat said Moscow believes that the only solution would entail Washington’s unconditional return to the JCPOA by honoring the UN Security Council Resolution 2231.
Russia believes that it is absolutely unfruitful to ask Iran to accept new conditions under the JCPOA or to act beyond its JCPOA commitments, Lavrov underlined.
The senior Russian diplomat held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif earlier on Tuesday.