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Putin Reaffirms Strategic Support for Iran in Saint Petersburg Talks
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The Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Saint Petersburg on Monday.
During the meeting, the Russian leader expressed support for Iran and shared his expectations for regional stability following recent developments, according to The Moscow Times on April 27.
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Russia has proposed acting as a mediator to help restore stability in the Middle East following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, which Moscow has condemned. Russia has also repeatedly offered to take Iran's enriched uranium to lower regional tensions, though the United States did not accept the proposal.
“We see how courageously and heroically the people of Iran are fighting for their independence, for their sovereignty. And of course, we very much hope that, relying on this courage and desire for independence, the Iranian people will pass through this difficult period of trials under the leadership of the new leader and peace will come,” the Russian leader said.
He stated that Russia would do everything that serves Iran's interests and the interests of all peoples in the region so that stability can be achieved as quickly as possible. The Russian leader also informed Araghchi that he received a message from the Supreme Leader of Iran last week.
“I would like to ask you to convey my most sincere words of gratitude for this and to confirm that Russia, just like Iran, intends to continue our strategic relations,” he told Araghchi.
Last year, Iran entered into a 20-year strategic partnership agreement with Russia. Currently, Russia is constructing two new power units at the Bushehr plant, which is Iran’s only nuclear power station. Araghchi confirmed that Tehran is determined to develop its strategic partnership with Moscow.
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“I was asked during this trip to confirm that Iranian-Russian relations mean a strategic partnership at the highest level for us, and we will continue on this path,” Araghchi said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described the talks between the Russian leader and Araghchi as useful. The spokesperson for the Russian leader, Dmitry Peskov, stated that Moscow would welcome the continuation of negotiations between the United States and Iran and expressed the conviction that a return to hostilities should be avoided.
“We would welcome the continuation of negotiations and the continuation of the ceasefire in any case. We believe that under no circumstances should there be a return to hostilities—this is not in the interests of our partner, Iran, it is not in the interests of the Gulf countries, and it is not in the interests of the global economy,” Peskov stated.
Previously, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed in an interview that Tehran had been receiving military assistance from both Russia and China as part of a deepening strategic partnership.
He noted that the three nations had maintained close cooperation across political and economic sectors to navigate rising tensions with the United States and Israel.
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