Iran-Russia relations have solid roots: Amir-Abdollahian to Lavrov

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
18 Jul 2023 22:24

The Russian Foreign Minister tells his Iranian counterpart that Russia has no doubts about the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov welcomes his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian prior to their meeting in Moscow, Russia, on October 6, 2021 (AFP)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed on Tuesday that his country fully respects Iran's territorial integrity and sovereignty, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.

During a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the two foreign ministers described that Russia-Iran ties are growing and underlined the will of presidents Vladimir Putin and Ebrahim Raisi to expand relations as much as possible.

According to the Foreign Ministry statement, Lavrov and Amir-Abdollahian discussed the second meeting of the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, Turkey, and Syria.

In the same context, the statement pointed out that Amir-Abdollahian expressed surprise at the wording of a phrase concerning three islands in the Gulf included in a recent joint statement in Moscow between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, emphasizing Iran's historical and eternal sovereignty of the islands.

The top Iranian diplomat made it clear that "the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran has not been nor will it be negotiable by any means."

Nonetheless, Amir-Abdollahian went on to say that Iran-Russia relations have solid roots, adding that no step that would harm the countries' close ties should be taken.

It is noteworthy that on Monday, Amir-Abdollahian said during a joint press conference with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi that Iran "received explanations from Russian officials in that regard, but we consider them inadequate."

He emphasized once more that his country will not give up its independence or territorial integrity.

"We will never tolerate the repetition of such a procedure in the statements and interference be it on the part of Russia or any other party in issues related to the territorial integrity of Iran."

On his part, Lavrov emphasized during Tuesday's phone conversation Russia's adherence to all United Nations Charter provisions, particularly those pertaining to state sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"The Russian Federation has no doubts about the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran and will fully respect it," the Russian Foreign Minister underscored.

Elsewhere, the Iranian Foreign Ministry added that the two top diplomats discussed the last phases of crafting the text of Iran and Russia's strategic accord.