Iran and Russia join Geneva consultations on Syria committee

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.

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.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, including Russia, decided at its Dushanbe summit to begin Iran’s accession process, advancing Tehran’s institutional ties with Eurasian partners.