Iran & Russia can create synergy in their cooperation to fight back US: Raisi tells Putin

During his two-day visit to Russia, Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi said that Tehran and Moscow can unite ir efforts in resisting pressure from US. According to Sputnik, Raisi met with his Russian counterpart Vlimir Putin on Wednesday. He stressed that Iran is rey for “strategic” relations with Moscow, which would not depend on short-term factors. 

"Amid external extraordinary conditions, when re is opposition to unilateral actions of West, including United States, we can create synergy in our cooperation," Raisi told Putin, as per Sputnik. 

Iranian President went on to note that sanctions by US and or Western nations are futile in hindering Iran’s development. During meeting, Raisi said that Iran has been resisting US for more than 40 years now. He ded that his country will not stop development and progress because of sanctions or threats, even though Iran is now making efforts to have sanctions lifted. 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on or hand, said that Moscow expects Raisi’s visit to result in an “inventory of relations”, given change in leership in Iran. Notably, Russia’s support for Iran during Vienna talks, including Tehran’s tough stance on need to lift sanctions against Islamic Republic, has strengned relations between two nations. re are also reports that two countries are planning furr military-technical cooperation, including a possible $10 billion contract for purchase of Russian military equipment. 

Stalled nuclear talks 

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Raisi’s visit to Russia comes amid a discussion to restore 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, including US, Russia, Germany, China, France, United Kingdom, and European Union. Back in 2018, former US President Donald Trump h withdrawn from deal, reimposing sanctions on Iran unilaterally. However, later, Iran stopped implementing elements of agreement's provisions. 

Negotiations to restore accord began last year but stopped in June as Iran elected ultraconservative President Ebrahim Raisi. talks n resumed in late November but very little progress has been me since. Iran has repeatedly said that it was rey to return to terms of arrangement only if country was given “assurances and verification” of US’ sanctions removal. On or hand, United States h earlier stated that it was fully prepared to lift sanctions inconsistent with JCPOA commitments, which would allow Iran to receive economic benefits of deal.

(Image: AP)