Russia's Lavrov says new deal with Iran to enhance security, defence cooperation

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that the new comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between Russia and Iran will enshrine the desire of the two states to develop security and defence cooperation.

"It [the agreement] pays special attention to strengthening cooperation in the interests of peace and security at the regional and global levels, enshrines the desire of Moscow and Tehran for closer cooperation in the areas of security, defence, the fight against terrorism and extremism, and countering many other common challenges and threats," Lavrov said, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

He noted that the upcoming signing of the agreement will expand the partnership between Russia and Iran in priority areas.

Meanwhile, talking about the settlement of conflict in Ukraine, Lavrov said the Russian government is open to discussing ways to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, but it is necessary to take into account the current situation on the ground.

"We are ready for negotiations, but they must be aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis and take into account the real situation "on the ground," the Russian top diplomat said.

The minister noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin clearly outlined Moscow's position on the settlement of the conflict with Kyiv - on June 14, at the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lavrov also on December 19, President Putin summed up the results of the year in a combined format of a direct line and a press conferencу, particularly stating the need to denazify and demilitarise Ukraine, as well as ensure its non-aligned and neutral status.

"Kyiv must take on specific obligations to ensure the rights, freedoms and interests of Russian-speaking citizens and, of course, recognize the territorial realities enshrined in the Constitution of the Russian Federation," the diplomat added.

Notably, Russia and Iran plan to formalize relations with the signing of a new strategic partnership treaty.

The two nations have been heavily sanctioned and censured by the U.S. and its allies over the past few years, the former as a result of the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and the latter because of concerns over alleged, covert attempts to develop nuclear weapons as well as the actions of its military proxies in the Middle East.

In late October, days after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the 16th annual BRICS summit in Kazan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the agreement would be ready for the two leaders' signatures in the near future, and that this will "will formalize the parties' commitment to close defence cooperation and interaction in the interests of regional and global peace and security.  "An agreement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran will be an important factor of strengthening Russia-Iran relations," Lavrov said at the International Conference on Eurasian Security.

By Khagan Isayev