Russia is Iran's strategic partner, says FM Araghchi

Iran considers Russia a strategic partner and bilateral ties are closer and stronger than ever before, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Friday, Mehr news agency reported. 

The Iranian top diplomat thanked Russia for its warm hospitality towards the Iranian delegation, adding he “had a very good and long meeting with Mr. Putin and handed over a written message from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution to him."

"This was both a message to Mr. Putin and a message to the whole world that Iran considers Russia its main and strategic partner and consults on important issues," the Iranian minister said at the meeting with Lavrov.

He added that, "Perhaps never in their history have relations between Iran and Russia been so close and strong. We recently signed a comprehensive strategic treaty in Moscow that has broadened and enhanced our relations to much higher levels."

Araghchi also pointed out that, "This treaty creates the bases of our new relations. Most importantly, it gives a long-term perspective to these relations."

Araghchi arrived in the Russian capital on Thursday and met with President Vladimir Putin during which he conveyed a letter from the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Putin responded by also relaying a message to Ali Khamenei.