Iran, Russia to deepen military ties after expiry of UN arms restrictions

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has confirmed that Tehran’s close cooperation with Moscow — including military and defence collaboration — is set to intensify following the expiration of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2231.

Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Baqaei responded to recent remarks by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who reiterated Moscow’s commitment to maintaining military-technical cooperation with Iran within the bounds of international law and the post-sanctions environment, Tasnim reports.

“The course of cooperation between Iran and Russia is progressing in all fields,” Baqaei stated, underlining that significant foundational agreements between the two countries cover wide-ranging areas of strategic cooperation, including defence. He noted that with the expiration of UNSCR 2231, this cooperation would "seriously continue" and potentially expand.

UNSCR 2231, which endorsed the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), placed limitations on Iran’s ballistic missile activities and arms-related transfers. Its expiration removes a key legal barrier to unrestricted defence collaboration between Tehran and Moscow.

Addressing questions about a recent visit to Moscow by Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Baqaei also touched on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s comment that Israel had communicated its unwillingness to escalate conflict with Iran. He emphasized that Iran maintains active and ongoing consultations with its allies across the region, including Russia.

Baqaei further announced that Russia’s Special Presidential Envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, is currently in Tehran for consultations with senior officials from the Iranian Foreign Ministry — a move he said reflects the structured and consistent nature of bilateral dialogue between the two countries.

By Vafa Guliyeva