TEHRAN – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi received a phone call from President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Tuesday in which they discussed many issues of mutual interest, including the situation in the South Caucasus region. 

In the call, President Raisi assessed the progress of the relations between the two countries as favorable and stressed the need for accelerating the implementation of agreements and joint projects between Tehran and Moscow, including in the fields of transit, transportation, energy swap and completion of the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

Raisi also appreciated Russian support of Iran’s membership in BRICS, according to a readout by the official website of the Iranian presidency. 

“BRICS is one of the emerging organizations effective in shaping the multipolar world and a suitable field for the expansion of bilateral, regional and international interactions between Iran, Russia and other member countries,” the Iranian president stated. 

Putin, for his part, said the volume of trade between the two countries hit a record last year. 

He expressed hope that the Rasht-Astara railway would be operationalized soon and the railways of Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia be connected to each other. The Russian leader said the railway will help increase trade exchanges between the countries.  

“Iran is a strategic partner of Russia,” Putin continued. 

The two presidents also discussed the latest developments in the South Caucasus region and underlined the need for resolution of the Caucasus issues through dialogue among the two countries and dialogue within the format of 3+3. They also highlighted the need to avoid foreign meddling in the region. 

 
Iran and Russia have been working over the last few years to boost their relations. And they are working on a long-term cooperation document on par with the one Iran signed with China. 

Major General Mohammad Baqeri, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, has said that Tehran and Moscow are working on the document. 

He made the remarks in a meeting with Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Defense Minister, who paid a visit to Iran recently. 

In the meeting, General Bagheri underlined the importance of boosting Iran-Russia relations.

“According to the decision of the leaders of the two countries, the relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Federal Republic of Russia are on the path of growth and development, and fortunately, this relationship has gained new dimensions over time,” the top Iranian general said, according to IRNA.

He added, “The developments that have occurred in the world today indicate that the period of the unipolar world has ended and the structure of the international system is moving towards a multipolar world. The results of the positions of Iran and Russia also indicate the same issue that the movement of global developments towards the multipolar system is accelerating.”

Addressing the Russian defense minister, General Bagheri said, “Your Excellency’s speech at the Moscow Security Conference also shows the movement of the global power structure and the balance of power towards the multipolar system.”

He noted, “The opinion of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution is that the long-term cooperation between Iran and Russia is in the interest of both countries and for this reason, the long-term cooperation document between Iran and Russia is being drafted. This document has strong military and defense dimensions and can be a suitable platform for the development of long-term cooperation between the two countries."