Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammadreza Ashtiani held a meeting with Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Tehran on Wednesday.
Expressing Iran’s fierce opposition to the presence of extra-regional military forces in the region, Ashtiani said maintaining the territorial integrity of regional countries and international boundaries is Iran’s red line.
Speaking about the fresh outbreak of fighting in the Karabakh region, the Iranian minister said Tehran believes that the 3+3 proposed format is a suitable way for the peaceful settlement of problems in the Caucasus.
Ashtiani said that defense and military cooperation between the two countries has always been pursued with the support of high-ranking leaders, aiming to strengthen and consolidate stability and security in the region.
Highlighting the importance of regional and international cooperation between Iran and Russia in ensuring the security and interests of the two nations, Ashtiani said a significant subject in bilateral cooperation is dealing with the common challenges, including US unilateralism.
Regarding the efforts of independent countries to create a multipolar system against the unilateralist approaches of some countries, he noted that the development of regional organizations such as Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS are signs of the world’s desire for a multipolar system.
Elsewhere in his remarks, he added that the new action of the three European countries regarding the non-revocation of missile sanctions is a clear violation of Europe’s obligations under the JCPOA, emphasizing that the biased statement of these countries regarding Iran’s non-compliance with its obligations is a big political lie.
For his part, Shoigu hailed the close and strategic relations between Moscow and Tehran.
He noted that constructive interaction between the two countries would establish security and stability in the region and contribute to multilateralism.
Hailing the idea of the 3+3 format for the resolution of conflicts in the Caucasus, Shoigu voiced support for Iran’s stances on the Caucasus developments.
The Russian defense minister, too, denounced the presence and activities of the extra-regional countries in the region, stressing the need for regional initiatives involving the regional states.
SD/5890349
