Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke by phone with Iran's acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani regarding bilateral cooperation, shared initiatives, and commitments, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to a strategic partnership, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

The Ministry detailed that both "reaffirmed their firm commitment to the unconditional continuation of the course chosen by the leaders of the two countries to form a strategic partnership between Russia and Iran and their readiness to implement all existing agreements and projects in various areas."

Lavrov also sent his condolences to Bagheri Kani following the unfortunate death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Ami-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash, the Ministry said.

The Iranian official thanked the Russian leadership for its attention and assistance, as well as its genuine sorrow and compassion for the Iranian people who have been through this tough journey.

Bagheri Kani wrote of the call on X, detailing that "in the continuation of diplomatic meetings and contacts, I received a phone call from the Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, and we reviewed the bilateral and multilateral programs together."

The acting foreign minister detailed that "bilateral, regional, and international mutual cooperation is being promoted. The path of multilateralism is the strategic choice of Iran and Russia to shape a fair world in which each actor gets a chance to play a role based on his capacity."

در تداوم ملاقات‌ها و تماس‌های دیپلماتیک، پذیرای تماس تلفنی همتای روس، سرگی لاورف بودم. pic.twitter.com/0B2t3JHjKH

— علی باقری‌کنی (@Bagheri_Kani) May 25, 2024

Iran will continue defending Palestine, Bagheri Kani affirms

The acting Foreign Minister of Iran, Ali Bagheri Kani, affirmed that what the nation has seen, from official international presence at its top officials' funeral ceremony, was "the result of the active policies taken by martyr Hossein Amir-Abdollahian." 

On the sidelines of the procession on Thursday, Bagheri Kani said that Iran's policy of heading toward neighboring and regional countries was a "primary principle", emphasizing that the country would proceed with it. 

Bagheri Kani meets with Resistance leadership

In another context, Bagheri Kani convened with Palestinian Resistance leadership and ascertained that Iran would continue, in full force, defending the people of Palestine and their righteous Resistance until the aggression ends. 

He added that the Resistance was not "a slogan or a tactic, but a principle founded on real necessities," noting that the Palestinian people have been fighting the Israeli aggression for over seven months with pride and independence. 

Bagheri Kani further told the Resistance factions that “it is enough pride for the resistance to humiliate the Zionists on the battlefield and in the global political, legal, and diplomatic arenas,” stressing that the United States could not save "Israel" on any diplomatic level, despite its extensive tools and influence. 

On its side, Hamas announced that the head of its political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, met on Wednesday with Ali Bagheri Kani for talks encompassing the Palestinian cause and the latest developments related to it, specifically the war on Gaza and its repercussions, as well as the effects of Al-Aqsa Flood. 

Leaders at Raisi funeral clear proof Iran not isolated in face of West

The funeral of late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday was a scene of union between Arab top diplomats, displaying the undeniable role of tie reparations in the region with major Arab countries even if they remain vital US allies.

The list of foreign officials who attended the funeral on Wednesday stood as clear proof as to just how much Iran’s efforts to blunt US sanctions have paid off.

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain were mere footsteps away from the leaders of the Lebanese and Palestinian Resistance, Yemen's Ansar Allah, and Afghanistan’s Taliban, in addition to Russian President Vladimir Putin's former aide.

Meanwhile, the Tunisian President visited Iran for the first time since the Islamic Republic came into being to attend the funeral, and rare appearances were made by the foreign ministers of Jordan and Egypt.

Officials from Qatar, Iraq, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and many others also attended.