Russia and Iran pledge to expand bilateral cooperation

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have committed to deepening bilateral ties across several sectors, including science, economy, industry, culture, security, and military cooperation. During their talks, Putin highlighted shared interests and expressed hope for a positive development in the Middle East. He noted that Russia is fulfilling its obligations in joint projects, specifically mentioning the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant.

Economic cooperation remains a priority, with bilateral trade turnover increasing by 10.4% during the first eight months of 2026 compared to the previous year. The leaders also discussed expanding cooperation in the oil and gas sectors and leveraging mutual potential to promote joint projects. President Pezeshkian emphasized a move toward broader multilateralism and strengthening ties with other nations.

Separately, Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov emphasized the role of natural gas in global energy security, particularly for developing nations. Following the GECF Ministerial Conference, he noted the agreement on the Moscow Declaration, which focuses on energy equity, technological neutrality, and equal access to energy sources and technologies. The declaration aims to develop new gas markets in Africa and other developing regions through long-term infrastructure financing and technological exchange.