In a message on the occasion of 515 years of Iran-Russia historical ties, the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that few countries in the world have as deep and historical relations. However, he said that Iran and Russia need to have far more extensive relations, the development of which will become a factor in bringing security, stability and development to such regions as Central Asia and the Middle East.
As the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova explained, the first diplomatic contact between Russia and Persia was established in the 16th century. On May 20, 1920, the governments of the RSFSR and Persia exchanged documents of mutual recognition. On December 25, 1991, Iran expressed willingness to maintain relations with Russia as the successor of the Soviet Union. The legal framework of Russia-Iran relations was boosted on March 12, 2001, when the presidents of Russia and Iran signed the Treaty on the Basis for Mutual Relations and the Principles of Cooperation Between the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
"Iran is a close regional partner for Russia. Over the past few years, our political dialogue and practical cooperation have risen to an unprecedented level and have become more intensive and busy than ever... Of major significance is the coordination of our actions against terrorism and drug trafficking," Zakharova said.
Iran remains a promising trade partner for Russia. "The rapid growth of mutual trade is evidence of positive dynamics in our business ties. In 2016, mutual trade increased by over 80% compared to the previous year. Our energy cooperation is spearheaded into the future. Russia and Iran are working together on the North-South international transport corridor between Europe and South Asia. Other promising spheres of bilateral cooperation include electricity generation, the oil and gas sectors, railway transport, the aerospace industry and military technology," the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
She stressed that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear programme that was adopted in Vienna on July 14, 2015 offers new opportunities for the consistent development of lasting and mutually beneficial relations with Iran. The Russian government highly values its cooperation with Iran on a political settlement of the conflict in Syria. Tehan, Moscow and Ankara have pledged to guarantee agreements reached between the Syrian Government and several armed opposition groups. Iran actively contributed to the intra-Syrian talks held in Astana on January 23-24 and February 15-16, 2017. Preparations for the third round of talks are underway.
