Russian, Iranian foreign ministers hold talks in Tehran

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on Monday, with diplomatic delegations from both countries beginning talks immediately afterward, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"Sergey Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are holding bilateral talks in Tehran," the ministry said in a statement.

According to the ministry, Lavrov will be received by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The ministry highlighted that the meeting is the fourth in-person contact between the top diplomats this year, adding that they also had 14 telephone conversations.

"During the meeting, there will be a candid and thorough exchange of views on a broad range of bilateral cooperation and key international issues of mutual interest," it said.

The ministry said the discussions will cover the Gulf situation and ways out of the current crisis, which has undermined stability in the Middle East and globally.

"Ministers will outline steps to strengthen UN coordination and expand cooperation within BRICS, the SCO, and the EAEU," it said.

Lavrov arrived in Tehran on Monday for an official visit to hold talks with Iranian officials on bilateral relations and regional and international developments.

The meeting between Lavrov and Araghchi was followed by consultations between the Iranian and Russian diplomatic delegations, according to IRIB.

Iran and Russia have strengthened political, economic and military cooperation in recent years amid Western sanctions imposed on both countries.

In January 2025, Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a 20-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty in Moscow, covering cooperation in defense, security, energy, trade and transportation.

​​​​​​​The agreement also provides for closer coordination on regional and international issues, although it does not establish a mutual defense obligation.