Iranian First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref, during a meeting with Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Gluchenko, expressed Iran’s eagerness to enhance comprehensive ties with Belarus and underscored the importance of strengthening and revitalizing the joint cooperation commission between the two nations.  

Aref also highlighted the need to leverage key regional and international summits and agreements, such as the Eurasian Union, to boost trade and economic collaboration, particularly within the private sectors of regional countries.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran seeks to strengthen relations and relationships with countries with political, cultural, and historical commonalities," he stated, emphasizing the need to boost the joint commission of cooperation between both nations, to keep up with and implement established bilateral agreements. 

Belarus and Iran have cooperated and enhanced bilateral relations over the past few years, particularly in an effort to counter US sanctions imposed on both nations. 

After then-president Ebrahim Raisi passed away in a helicopter crash in May, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko blamed US sanctions for being a factor in his death, as not being able to import parts for the US-made copter contributed to its malfunction.

During a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Lukashenko said, “As a person, and not as a president, I will say that the vile, disgusting position of the United States led to this”.  

He added, “I mean, first of all, the sanctions. These scoundrels had no right to impose sanctions against ships, against planes, helicopters that transport people,” Lukashenko added.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry also issued a statement saying the loss of President Raisi and his companions was not only a loss for the Iranian people but for Belarus as well. "Belarus's true friends have passed away".

Read more: Belarus, Iran vow to cement ties, stand in the face of sanctions