TEHRAN, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Wednesday that Iran is "serious" about implementing its comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, adding that Tehran's relations with Moscow have entered a "new era."
Pezeshkian made the remarks in Tehran during a meeting with visiting Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, according to a statement from the president's office.
The Iranian president noted that he has held several meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin since taking office in July 2024. He said decisions made during those talks protect the two countries' interests and have opened new prospects for bilateral relations.
Pezeshkian said Tehran is moving swiftly to carry out the strategic agreement across sectors, including transport, energy, oil and gas, agriculture, food, defense, and security. He added that he reviews progress weekly and has instructed Iran's oil, energy, and agriculture ministers to speed up implementation.
He also criticized "unilateral" policies by certain world powers, saying regional countries should strengthen cooperation without outside interference.
Tsivilev said relations advanced significantly last year, with the two sides expanding cooperation and reinforcing friendly ties. He added that the Kremlin places high importance on ties with Iran and that no one would be able to disrupt their strategic partnership, according to the Iranian statement.
The Russian minister arrived Monday to attend the 19th meeting of the Iran-Russia Joint Economic Cooperation Commission, which concluded Wednesday.
Iran and Russia, both under sweeping U.S. sanctions, have in recent years expanded political and economic cooperation amid mounting Western pressure. ■
