Iran’s top security official and Russia’s defense minister have slammed the role of external powers in destabilizing the region, calling for enhanced collaboration among regional countries to ensure their collective security.
Ali Akbar Ahmadian, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, met in Tehran on Wednesday and slammed foreign interference as the main source of instability in the region.
They emphasized that “enhancing regional cooperation to achieve collective security is one of the most effective ways to end foreign interference in the region”, according to Iranian media reports.
The two officials also discussed ways to expand Iran-Russia cooperation and address common challenges, such as terrorism. They also exchanged views on the latest international developments, especially the situation in the Caucuses region.
Getting acquainted with Iranian-developed weapons
During his visit, the Russian minister also toured the aerospace force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), where he met with IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh. He was shown various Iranian-made drones, missiles, and air defense systems.
The Russian minister arrived in Iran on Tuesday in an official visit upon an invitation by Chief of General Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces Major General Mohammed Hossein Baqeri.
Earlier, he sat down for talks with General Baqeri as well as his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani.
During his meeting with General Ashtiani, Shoigu said relations between Russia and Iran have reached a new level despite opposition from much of the Western world.
“The pressure of sanctions on Russia and Iran is proving to be futile, while Russia-Iran cooperation is reaching new highs,” he added.
Tehran and Moscow have strengthened their defense partnership in recent years, and are now mulling a long-term defense cooperation agreement.
Tehran says the two countries will hold joint military exercises in the coming February.
Despite facing severe Western sanctions, Iran and Russia, two strong allies, have significantly strengthened their relationship in multiple domains, such as military and defense, over the past few years.
Meanwhile, the US and its allies have accused Iran of supplying drones to Russia to use them in the Ukraine war. Both Tehran and Moscow have rejected the allegation.
