Iran and Russia agree on the Rasht–Astara railway project

Russian Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev met Ali Shamkhani and President Raisi in Tehran, discussing security and wider cooperation between the two countries.

State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin and Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf participated in the joint parliamentary cooperation commission in Tehran.

Iran announced an agreement linking its SEPAM banking-message system with Russia’s SPFS, seeking a direct channel for financial communications between participating banks.

China announced Security Belt 2023, a joint naval exercise with Iran and Russia in the Gulf of Oman scheduled for 15–19 March.

Amir-Abdollahian and Lavrov met in Moscow, discussing bilateral trade, transport cooperation and the Iran nuclear agreement during their joint press conference.

Iran became a full SCO member at the New Delhi summit, completing the accession process and joining an organisation that includes Russia and China.

Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council issued a statement supporting UAE efforts toward a negotiated or judicial settlement concerning Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa.

Iran summoned Russia’s ambassador after the Russia–GCC statement on three Gulf islands, reaffirming Iranian sovereignty and demanding correction of Russia’s position.

BRICS leaders invited Iran to become a member from 1 January 2024, extending Tehran’s institutional links with a grouping that includes Russia.

Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu visited Tehran and met Iranian armed forces chief Mohammad Bagheri, discussing military cooperation and regional security.