In an interview with RIA Novosti, Moscow's ambassador to Tehran Alexey Dedov pointed out that Iran not recognizing Moscow's sovereignty over the annexed regions (Crimea, Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye) doesn't affect Tehran-Moscow bilateralism and the development of cooperation between the two countries. 

The Iranian Foreign minister had asserted back on January 19 that despite enjoying strong relations with Moscow, Tehran did not recognize Russia's sovereignty over Crimea and the other four regions. 

"Official Tehran recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries within international law. Therefore, despite the fact that relations between Iran and Russia are excellent, we do not recognize the entry of Crimea and 4 other regions to Russia," Iranian FM Amir Abdollehian said in an interview with TRT. 

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 Alexey Dedov noted that Moscow is aware of Tehran's stance on the annexed regions. He explained that Iran had taken a balanced stance since the start of the special military operation in Ukraine, and the Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran has repeatedly highlighted that the actions of the United States and NATO are to blame for the problem.

Moscow had annexed Crimea back in 2014 in a bloodless maneuver consolidating authority over the peninsula by conducting a referendum which showed popular support of locals for unifying with the Russian Federation. 

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The other four regions were incorporated into Russia after the special military operation which had commenced back in 2022. Similarly, the annexation of these regions was legitimized by referendums which showed popular support by locals for joining the Russian Federation. 

On September 30th, 2022, at a celebration in the Kremlin announcing the annexation of the region, Putin called the residents of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia “our citizens forever”.