Putin and Pezeshkian Discuss Strategic Partnership Agreements

January 17, 2025

Press conference following Russian-Iranian talks

Following the Russian-Iranian talks, Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian gave a joint press conference.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, friends,

I am genuinely delighted to extend a warm welcome to President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, who is on an official visit to Russia. We have just concluded extensive discussions.

Our country gives priority to further strengthening of the friendly and neighbourly relations between Russia and Iran. These ties rely on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and consideration for each other’s interests, as well as reciprocity and support, which are consistently reflected in practical deeds. Our multifaceted bilateral partnership has been steadily advancing year by year.

We engage in an intensive political dialogue. Last year, Mr Pezeshkian and I held two meetings, including during the BRICS Summit in Kazan. Our foreign ministries and security councils maintain close contact. Cooperation between Russia and Iran in the economic, social, and cultural areas is becoming increasingly active; coordination has been established between industry-specific ministries, business communities, and public representatives, who interact fruitfully; youth, parliamentary, and interregional contacts occur regularly. In essence, the ties between our two countries are extensive and mutually beneficial, and we are committed to not resting on our laurels but elevating the relationship to a qualitatively new level.

This is precisely the objective of the signed interstate Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It outlines ambitious goals and benchmarks for deepening bilateral cooperation in the long term across political and security domains, as well as in trade, investment, and humanitarian affairs. This truly ground-breaking document aims to establish the necessary conditions for the stable and sustainable development of Russia, Iran, and our entire shared Eurasian region.

As I have already mentioned, today’s discussions with the President of Iran were exceedingly beneficial and substantial. They were conducted in a constructive and friendly manner. We deliberated on the full spectrum of issues on our bilateral agenda and exchanged views on pressing international and regional matters.

Naturally, economic cooperation was covered in depth during the talks. Russia and Iran are significant partners in trade, finance, and investment, and their collaboration in these areas is steadily growing. Over the first ten months of 2024, bilateral trade grew by 15.5 percent.

Notably, our countries have almost completely transitioned to using national currencies in mutual settlements. Efforts are being made to establish sustainable lending and banking interaction channels and to align national payment systems. In 2024, transactions conducted in Russian rubles and Iranian rials accounted for over 95 percent of bilateral trade.

The anticipated entering into force of a full-fledged free trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union is expected to further strengthen Russian-Iranian commercial ties. It is also worth noting that on December 26, 2024, the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council granted the Islamic Republic of Iran observer status at the EAEU. We see this as another step forward in promoting Iran’s relations with Russia and other EAEU members.

Energy remains a crucial area of Russian-Iranian cooperation. The flagship joint project for the construction of two new units of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant by Rosatom is making strides. Once implemented, this project will undoubtedly make a weighty contribution to enhancing Iran’s energy security, spur national economic growth, and provide affordable and environmentally friendly electricity for Iranian households and industrial enterprises.

We place great emphasis on cooperation in the transport sector, particularly expanding mutual railway freight operations. Promising opportunities are opening up in connection with the international North-South transport corridor. Discussions are ongoing regarding the construction of its Rasht-Astara railway section. Implementing this project would help establish seamless supply chain from Russia and Belarus to Iranian ports in the Gulf.

Humanitarian cooperation is deepening as well. Plans include opening a Russian cultural centre in Tehran. In June, Iran will host Days of Russian Culture, featuring numerous exhibitions, concerts, and theatre performances, as well as other vibrant cultural events. We are confident that Iranian audience will enjoy these activities.

Mutual tourist flows are expanding facilitated by direct flights between many Russian and Iranian cities, as well as decisions made in 2023 to allow visa-free group tours and electronic visas for individual tourists.

Russia is also helping Iran train highly skilled professionals. Currently, more than 9,000 Iranian students are studying at Russian universities, about 600 of whom – at the expense of Russia’s federal budget.

All issues related to bilateral cooperation are overseen by the Permanent Russian-Iranian Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation. It was agreed that its regular meeting will be held in Moscow in the first half of this year.

Naturally, Mr President and I also discussed a range of foreign policy priorities. On most of them, the positions of Russia and Iran overlap. Our countries firmly uphold the principles of the rule of international law, state sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs of other countries. Both countries pursue independent foreign policy, and jointly resist external pressure, diktat, and the use of illegitimate and politically-driven sanctions. We also coordinate our efforts on key issues and on key international venues, including the UN, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

When discussing recent developments in Syria, we emphasised that Russia remains committed to comprehensive settlement in that country based on respect for its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. We stand ready to continue providing the Syrian people with the necessary support for stabilising the situation, to offer urgent humanitarian aid, and to start full-scale post-conflict reconstruction.

We believe that the future of Syria should be determined by the Syrians themselves through an inclusive dialogue. We wholeheartedly hope that the Syrian people will successfully overcome the challenges arising from the transitional period.

We also touched on the Middle East peace process in light of the recently reached agreement to cease hostilities in the Gaza Strip. This agreement provides for the reunification of freed Israeli hostages with their families and the release of Palestinian detainees. Significantly, it also opens the door to a substantial increase in the supply of food, fuel, and medicine to Gaza. We hope these measures will alleviate the humanitarian situation and contribute to long-term stabilisation in the sector.

However, it is essential not to ease up on efforts towards achieving a comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the internationally recognised legal basis. This includes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state coexisting in peace and security with Israel.

Mr President and I also addressed Russian-Iranian cooperation in the South Caucasus. Ensuring peace and stability in this region serves the interests of both our nations.

Overall, the alignment of agendas on these and other regional matters was, in our view, highly beneficial and quite timely. I would like to close by stressing that we are satisfied with the results of these talks.

I am confident that the agreements we reached during these talks will further strengthen the entire spectrum of Russian-Iranian relations and ties. Without a doubt, the newly signed interstate agreement will serve this purpose as well.

Thank you for your attention.

President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian (retranslated): In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful!

Colleagues, members of the press,

Mr President Vladimir Putin, I wish to extend my gratitude to you and express my appreciation to the Russian people and the Russian Government for the hospitality extended to both me and my delegation. I am optimistic that our bilateral engagements will persist within the framework of our mutual interests. Indeed, from today, we will witness expanded opportunities for the advancement of our bilateral relations.

Within the framework of the neighbourhood policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation holds significant importance for us. I must say that in recent years, there has been a substantial exchange of delegations between our nations, and this process continues, for which we are deeply grateful to our colleagues in Russia.

I believe we will continue to operate within the framework of trade and economic relations, with certain mechanisms already in place. We have resolved to eliminate obstacles impeding our relations. We have conducted a comprehensive review of all pertinent issues, discussed the full spectrum of our relations, and concluded that we must continue working in this positive spirit and manner, both bilaterally, regionally, and on the international stage. The significant Treaty signed today will inaugurate a new chapter in our relations, particularly in trade and economic interactions between Iran and Russia.

I am confident that this document has been crafted with the interests of our countries in mind and will lay the necessary groundwork for our continued cooperation. Iran and Russia are committed to removing minor, insignificant barriers hindering our trade and economic relations.

Regarding customs, banking, and monetary issues, as well as our investment projects and the visa-free regime between our countries, we have engaged in discussions on these matters. Within the framework of this Treaty, we will have further opportunities to address these topics in the future.

I would like to underscore the significance of Iran’s observer status within the Eurasian Economic Union. This status is highly important to us. I believe that within the framework of this Union, we can significantly enhance the level of cooperation between our countries.

The shared approaches and perspectives of Iran and Russia in combating terrorism and extremism form another basis for our continued collaboration. We have deliberated on cooperative efforts in the South Caucasus, Syria, the Middle East, and Afghanistan.

I believe that some of the transformations occurring in our region, facilitated by new organisations and entities such as BRICS and the SCO, indeed represent new opportunities and potential for both countries to collaborate in the future. The active involvement of Iran and Russia in these emerging regional structures is of great importance to us all.

I wish to reiterate that combat and conflict do not resolve issues. We welcome a political settlement between Ukraine and Russia. It is imperative that mutual respect is maintained. Furthermore, Western nations should refrain from imposing their will on others.

Regarding the Israeli regime’s airstrikes against Lebanon and Syria, I believe we concur on the importance of discouraging such actions. We hope that a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will indeed be implemented.

In conclusion, I wish to once again thank my esteemed colleague, the Russian President, for his hospitality and for the cordial relations we have cultivated with the fraternal people of the Russian Federation.

Thank you very much, Mr President.

Question (retranslated): Good afternoon, President Putin, President Pezeshkian.

Considering that we are also about to raise the issue of the big treaty, I would like the presidents of both countries to answer my question.

Everyone is aware of the fact that Iran and Russia share profound cultural and social approaches. We are two large and strong nations in this region. We possess great possibilities and oppose the unipolar world. Iran and Russia stand for a new world order based on multipolarity. We participate in important new entities such as the SCO, the Eurasian Economic Union, and BRICS.

Considering all these common approaches, we still see that our bilateral relations, particularly in the economy and trade, are lagging behind our political relations. I have a concrete question for you: What is the outlook for our relations considering the treaty that was signed today? What can we count on and hope for in the future? What will happen in the future with today’s treaty in mind? Thank you very much.

Vladimir Putin: Without a doubt, strengthening the legal framework creates better conditions for addressing bilateral cooperation issues across all areas, with trade and economy being the most important areas for us.

Mr President and I have discussed this in restricted and expanded formats and took a look at Russia’s relations with other neighbouring countries. With countries with much smaller – by orders of magnitude, I would say – economic and human potential compared to Iran, our trade is many times greater, many times. The level of our trade and economic relations, trade and economic cooperation with such a big country as Iran, with a population of 85 million people, is clearly way below what we can actually do.

The thrust of the treaty that we signed today is precisely to create extra conditions, basic additional conditions, to promote trade and economic ties. To put it in plain terms, we need less red tape and more concrete action. We got together today to discuss financial settlements and ways to speed up supply chain decisions, customs issues, and so on and so forth, in the sphere of energy.

Mr President mentioned – and I noted it as well – that Iran is expanding its interaction with the Eurasian Economic Union. All of that taken together, in my opinion, creates very favourable conditions for us to take major and decisive steps forward. We have promising projects across all areas that I just mentioned.

I look forward to us making big strides through joint efforts, including the intergovernmental commission. I have no doubt about this whatsoever. Whatever obstacles or difficulties may be imposed on us from outside, we are capable of overcoming them and moving forward. I am confident this is what it will be like.

Thank you very much for your question.

Masoud Pezeshkian: With regard to our cooperation prospects in light of the big treaty, we are convinced – and I have emphasised this since day one of the presidential election – that the first major step of my government will include strengthening our cooperation with neighbouring countries and expanding opportunities for continued cooperation. I am, of course, talking about the Russian Federation. It is a vast country with which we have excellent political relations, and it holds major importance for us both in the region and internationally.

In order for us to be able to strengthen bilateral relations across all areas without exception, our first step was to review our relationship and to reinforce, so to say, a new treaty framework.

What can we do in the future? We must develop a new mechanism, update our treaty, as my esteemed colleague, Mr President, said in the sphere of investment projects, industry, scientific research, and educational programmes. We already have excellent projects, commissions, sub-commissions, and working groups. These entities have all agreed to create a new treaty framework that will allow us to expand the scope of our activities in our country based on this treaty.

This, of course, aligns with our shared policy of ensuring regional security and opposing the unipolar world. We are confident that, in our region, we can cooperate without external influences or involvement from outlying players. Our major neighbours possess significant potential, and we can safely say that we do not need to heed advice from overseas countries.

I am very pleased to be here today, and I foresee a bright future ahead.

Question: Interfax Agency. I have a question for both presidents.

You mentioned various projects, and I am particularly interested in two of them. A year ago, the two countries announced their plans for a gas pipeline project to transport Russian gas to Iran. Was this matter discussed today? What progress has been made in implementing these plans, and what are the expected volumes?

The second project concerns the well-known international North-South transport corridor. How well is it going, and what challenges, if any, are hindering further expansion of this project?

Vladimir Putin: There are always difficulties with both projects, and all others for that matter. There is always something that needs to be agreed upon, or specific circumstances in a particular sector of the economy, be it logistics, transport, or energy, that need to be accounted for.

There are many issues to address, including price negotiation. Approaches to such negotiations vary and depend on numerous factors. For instance, Mr Miller, who is sitting next to you, can explain technical aspects like the calorific value of oil and gas, among other things. These are technical issues, they need to be agreed upon. Both projects are active, and both are highly important and very engaging.

Speaking of potential gas supply volumes, we believe we should start small with up to two billion cubic metres, but with an option to eventually increase annual shipments to Iran to up to 55 billion cubic metres of gas.

The oil sector also offers opportunities for cooperation. We operate a major nuclear project. One unit is operational and things are going well, and we are now discussing the possibility of building additional units. Indeed, we have to push certain deadlines back, mainly due to payment and settlement issues. This is no secret.

Nevertheless, work is being done and progress is being made. Thousands of people are working on these sites, with approximately 80 percent of the construction being carried out by local contractors. It is a massive and major effort, and we are moving forward despite some issues that need our attention. This is precisely why we get together to address such issues.

We are interested in the North-South project. It presents additional opportunities for promoting Iranian- and Russian-made goods on global markets. It is not just us who have a stake in it; other countries that are energetically developing trade and economic ties with us also have a stake in this project.

Technical, administrative, financial, and organisational issues are being addressed as well. We have established a special office dedicated to this project, with Deputy Prime Minister Savelyev closely involved in its work. He frequently visits Iran and meets with our Iranian partners. These projects are active, and we are confident they will be implemented.

Masoud Pezeshkian: With regard to gas cooperation, I would like to follow up on it by saying that just as the human body relies on vessels to deliver energy to different parts of the body, we too need such “vessels” in the form of ways to deliver energy where it is needed.

We have discussed the routes for delivering materials, energy, or any goods. We need robust supply chains.

To achieve our shared vision and goals, we need to upgrade the routes for delivering fuel and energy. This is an issue our colleagues have been working on for a long time now, and we are prepared to renew and restore the necessary supply infrastructure.

Regarding gas, electricity, other energy, as well as renewable energy, we have held discussions to this end. I believe that the expert teams on both sides are working hard on these matters. We are convinced that we can do it. We must remove any obstacles to ensure these supply routes function at full capacity.

Of course, there are technical issues. However, significant progress has been made. I can safely say that we have the opportunity to re-open a new chapter in energy cooperation between Iran and Russia. Day by day, we must enhance our ability to manage these processes effectively.

Question (retranslated): Given the good relations between Iran and Russia, alongside the Treaty signed today, what will be the policy of the two nations concerning the international agenda and regional cooperation, particularly within our region? How can this be effectively implemented?

Vladimir Putin: We have long been coordinating our efforts on the international stage. This pertains to the most urgent issues on the global agenda, including the Middle East and the South Caucasus, which I have just referenced. All of these matters directly impact our interests.

Mr President mentioned the conflict in Ukraine. Our colleagues are well-informed about the ongoing developments there. We consistently keep our Iranian counterparts apprised.

Broadly speaking, we operate on the premise of prioritising international law, grounded in the United Nations Charter. Relations in the international arena should be forged based on the principles of the UN Charter, respecting the interests of all parties engaged in the international dialogue and refraining from interference in internal affairs. These are the fundamental principles to which we adhere.

The Treaty signed today establishes an additional, as I have previously stated, significant and robust foundation for fostering relations of trust, based on the principles I have just mentioned. This Treaty articulates our priorities and our commitment to honouring them. It enables us to fortify our bilateral relations in the interests of the Iranian people and the citizens of the Russian Federation.

Masoud Pezeshkian: I believe that with the Treaty we signed today, regarding our cooperation in the regional dimension, we will contribute to establishing stability and peace, particularly in our region. Through dialogue, consultations, respect for the territorial integrity of countries, and by eschewing interference from extraregional forces, we, as regional countries, can and will find solution to our regional issues.

I am of the opinion that the dialogue between us, if replicated with other countries, could significantly diminish the scope of issues and eliminate border obstacles. When certain nations impose artificial difficulties at borders, it indeed becomes a substantial hindrance.

Our policy is to foster friendly relations with regional actors predicated on mutual interests, and we are confident in resolving all issues and eliminating all obstacles, especially pertinent in the Middle East.

Question: I have a question for both leaders.

It is evident to everybody that the old world order has come to its end, and the world is transitioning to a multipolar model, a transition that is not without challenges. With the persistent turbulence in the Middle East, how can the balance of power be maintained?

Vladimir Putin: As I have previously stated, by relying on the Charter of the United Nations. This is what we should strive for, and this is what we ought to pursue, rather than attempting to manipulate the rules of international law to serve vested interests, instantly redirecting them in a way favourable for one nation or a group of states. We must not substitute the UN Charter with certain rules that, as I have repeatedly mentioned, remain unseen. A return to the original understanding of the United Nations’ purpose and adherence to the principles enshrined in its Charter is of utmost importance.

Naturally, this is a complex instrument. I would like to remind you that during the Soviet Union era, our Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko earned the moniker “Mister No.” You may ask, why? Because, even then, it was exceedingly challenging to reach consensus on all issues, especially amidst the Cold War. However, this is precisely why the UN was established, to seek acceptable solutions and to avoid the unilateral implementation of unacceptable ones.

However, at some juncture, there emerged a belief that everything could be resolved unilaterally, and the United Nations Organisation itself could be subordinated to serve someone’s selfish interests. If it did not comply, it could be declared unnecessary. And then, when the necessity arose, it could be recalled, along with the principles embedded in the United Nations Charter.

We must revert to the foundational intent behind the Organisation’s creation and operate from the premise that all nations, whether small or large, are equal. They have equal rights, which should be acknowledged and respected.

Masoud Pezeshkian: As my esteemed colleague Vladimir Putin articulated, the era of double standards has come to an end. The notion that one party has the right to kill ordinary citizens, to kill children and women, to obliterate hospitals and schools, and subsequently assert their stance on human rights, is untenable. They then presume to instruct us on the path to follow.

In another nation, particularly ours, we are advised to uphold human rights according to their dictates. We reject these double standards; such insincere human rights are unacceptable to us.

What is happening in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza – where bloodshed is incessant – is evident. You have witnessed it first-hand. Even within the framework of international organisations, the protection of women and children has not been assured. How can we continue this discourse? No entity has ever been permitted to destroy hospitals, schools, infrastructure, and communications, yet it all occurred before our eyes in the Middle East. These double standards are intolerable to us. It is deeply regrettable that the situation persists.

I believe today’s agreements, especially those with other nations committed to international frameworks, ensure that the unipolar world will no longer dictate our course. No double standards can govern the world.

There is no difference between small and large nations; all are equal, as my colleague asserts. If we are to uphold human rights, they must be universal, not confined to a certain group in a particular country. Human rights are a global concern.

Today’s meeting and the agreements reached between our countries, I believe, serve as a further impetus and motivation towards the construction of a multipolar world. Of course, this primarily concerns the development of Iran and Russia.

Thank you very much.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.