IRGC general: Russia will remain Iran’s ally forever

Russia and Iran have been, and will always remain, partners and allies, with "not the slightest doubt" about the strength of their relationship, a senior commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said.

Speaking to TASS, Brigadier General Hossein Maroufi, deputy commander of the IRGC, stressed the enduring strategic ties between the two countries.

"Russia is an allied nation and stands alongside the Islamic Republic. Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited Iran on numerous occasions, while our President, Masoud Pezeshkian, and other officials regularly travel to Russia. We are neighbours, and good neighbourly relations have characterised our ties throughout history and continue to this day. The Russian people also deeply mourned the passing of our leader, Ali Khamenei. Russia has been our partner, and it will remain so forever. There is not the slightest doubt about that," the general said.

Maroufi made the remarks during the funeral ceremony for Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, currently taking place in Tehran.