Iran hosts Turkish and Russian delegations discussing sanctions relief and deeper cooperation

Turkish Foreign Minister Cevdet Yılmaz met with Iranian officials, expressing solidarity with Iran after recent attacks and pledging to support the region's “peace and stability.” He highlighted plans to expand economic cooperation, aiming for a bilateral trade volume of $30 billion and calling for the easing of sanctions that “punish the Iranian people.” Yılmaz also noted the importance of energy collaboration, referencing a suspended natural‑gas pipeline that once transported Turkmen gas through Iran to Turkey.

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev visited Tehran following the funeral of the late Iranian cleric Ali Hamaney. Acting on President Vladimir Putin’s instructions, Medvedev conveyed condolences and criticised the United States, saying the U.S. “has destroyed international law” and its actions have no justification. He stressed that “negotiations are good, but they must end with a result,” warning that talks between Iran and the United States will be “extremely complex.” Medvedev also referred to the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and suggested a broader alliance against Western sanctions, underscoring the ongoing strategic partnership between Russia and Iran.