Lavrov affirms cooperation with Iran despite US sanctions threats

Iran, Russia and China began a four-day joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Oman, expanding practical maritime cooperation among the three states.

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.

Iran, Russia and Turkey held consultations during the fifth meeting of Syria’s constitutional committee in Geneva and issued a joint statement on the political process.

Iranian and Russian naval vessels carried out a phase of their joint Maritime Security Belt exercise in the northern Indian Ocean, including firing at designated sea targets.

Iran and the remaining JCPOA participants, including Russia, met in Vienna and tasked expert groups to continue work on nuclear implementation and sanctions-related issues.

Lavrov met Zarif in Tehran to discuss bilateral cooperation and the nuclear agreement, affirming Russian support for efforts to preserve the JCPOA.

Russian State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin attended Ebrahim Raisi’s inauguration in Tehran, maintaining high-level Russian contact during Iran’s presidential transition.