In a rare visit to Russia on Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov with talks mainly focusing on the crisis over its nuclear deal and the situation in the Gulf.
In a joint press conference, they said Iran and Russia’s views have become closer over Tehran's nuclear deal and the tense situation in the region, praising the role played by French President Emmanuel Macron to save the pact, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Zarif said his country would "be complying with its obligations in full when the Europeans comply with theirs in full."
He also hailed the partnership between Iran, Russia and China.
“The nature of our relations with Russia and China is different from our relations with the ... other participants of the JCPOA because we believe that Iran, Russia and China have never stopped cooperating ... So we consider Russia and China as partners that have ... held strong positions and who contribute to the continued survival of the JCPOA,” Zarif explained.
On the situation in the Gulf, Lavrov said that Tehran welcomes Moscow's suggestion about restoring security in the area.
They confirmed that the presidents of Russia, Turkey and Iran should meet in the Turkish capital in mid-September to discuss Syria.
They commended the Iran-Russia joint cooperation commission, which had a special role in expanding relations between the two countries.
The meeting coincided with talks held in Moscow between Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and his Iranian counterpart, Reza Ardakanian, over the development of joint energy investment projects.
Sources from the delegations of both countries described Monday’s talks as very positive and as aiming to enhance bilateral cooperation, in addition to coordination in regional and international files.
