Iran, Russia and China begin joint naval exercise

Zarif and Lavrov held talks in Moscow on bilateral cooperation, the Iran nuclear agreement and Syria, including preparations for another Astana-format presidential summit.

The presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey met in Ankara and issued a joint statement on Syria, continuing their Astana cooperation and efforts toward a constitutional process.

The interim preferential trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union, including Russia, entered into force, beginning application of its agreed trading provisions.

Iran began pouring first concrete for Bushehr unit 2 in cooperation with Russia, moving the nuclear expansion beyond the earlier groundbreaking ceremony.

Iran, Russia and Turkey ended a Nur-Sultan meeting with a joint statement welcoming the formation and first meeting of Syria’s constitutional committee in Geneva.

Russia’s foreign ministry condemned the US strike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad, warning that it would increase regional tensions.

Zarif and Lavrov signed a declaration in Moscow affirming principles of international law and opposing unilateral interventions and extraterritorial application of national law.

Rouhani, Putin and Erdogan held a video summit on Syria, renewing trilateral coordination and support for a political process during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zarif met Lavrov in Moscow for further consultations on bilateral relations and international issues, maintaining ministerial contact despite pandemic-related difficulties.

After Moscow talks with Zarif, Lavrov said Russia would continue cooperation with Iran despite US sanctions threats, publicly rejecting Washington’s demands.