TEHRAN – Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said late Tuesday that an “independent Iran” and “powerful Russia” will realize each others’ interests.

“In the same way that an independent Iran would benefit Russia, a powerful Russia would also benefit Iran,” Ayatollah Khamenei told Russian President Vladimir Putin who had attended the Caspian Sea summit in Tehran on Tuesday.
The various potentials of the two countries provide a fertile ground for expansion of relations and “we also welcome development of ties and consider it to the benefit of both nations,” Ayatollah Khamenei insisted.
Iran has chosen the “logic of resistance” in defending its national interests because it believes that there are no limits to the enemies’ avarice, the Leader stated.
The real power of a country depends on the dignity and internal power of that nation and the history is a lesson in this regard, the commented.
The Leader said the Iranian nation has a “good and clear image of the Russian people and this is because of the resistance that the Russian nation has shown against the enemies in various junctures.”
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the continuous U.S. threats against the Islamic Republic, saying that the United States opposes any country that stands against its illegitimate interests.
He said Washington has not missed any opportunity to harm the Iranian nation but its “adventures” have backfired.
The Supreme Leader also reiterated that Iran is fully prepared to build trust over its nuclear program, saying, “Cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency is a right and rational move which will be continued and we are determined to provide our need to nuclear energy and therefore we seriously pursue enrichment.”
Ayatollah Khamenei also told Putin that “we will think about your statements and proposal.”
Putin stated that the Tehran-Moscow ties will expand without any limitation and expressed hope that his visit to Tehran will “open a new chapter in the two countries’ relations.”
Moscow knows no limits to its cooperation with Tehran, Putin said.
Referring to his talks with President Mahmud Ahmadinejad on energy, transportation, and aerospace cooperation, the Russian leader added, “The interest of Russian nation lies in a powerful and influential Iran in international scene and we have no doubt that we will move in this direction.”
Russia respects Tehran’s nuclear position and believes that Iran has right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and also opposes any pressure on Tehran for its nuclear program, Putin noted.
“Russia respects Iran’s stance on the nuclear issue and considers a peaceful use of nuclear energy as Iran’s right.”
Putin also praised the recent nuclear deal between Tehran and the IAEA for clearing up ambiguities about Iran’s nuclear program.
“Moscow supports this initiative by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he insisted.
Under the Aug. 21 deal, the IAEA and Tehran agreed on a timetable for addressing the remaining ambiguities about Iran’s nuclear activities. The IAEA director Mohamed ElBaradei has called the agreement ""an important step in the right direction.""