Moscow, November 18, 2025 – The Europe Today: First Vice-President Mohammad-Reza Aref on Monday reaffirmed the Islamic Republic of Iran’s strong commitment to further enhancing relations with the Russian Federation, emphasizing the strategic importance of bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.
Aref, who arrived in Moscow to participate in the 24th Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government, held a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to discuss ongoing collaborations and future prospects.
Expressing satisfaction over the steady development of Iran-Russia relations, Aref appreciated Moscow’s supportive stance on recent issues concerning the snapback mechanism in international forums. He noted that cooperation between the two countries continues to advance in a constructive and mutually beneficial manner.
Highlighting the significance of joint membership in major regional and international organizations—including BRICS, the SCO, and the Eurasian Economic Union—Aref stated that these frameworks offer “extraordinary capacities” to boost bilateral cooperation. He added that constructive engagement within these platforms can inject fresh momentum into shared initiatives.
Referring to the Iran-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, the First Vice-President described the document as “a guiding framework” for elevating bilateral relations to their fullest potential.
Aref also discussed the finalization of legislation concerning the agreement on cooperation in information security between the two governments. Citing shared cyber threats, he underlined the importance of expediting necessary processes to safeguard critical infrastructure in both countries.
For his part, Prime Minister Mishustin reaffirmed Russia’s intention to deepen ties with Iran based on the principles of good neighborliness. He pointed to the enforcement of the free trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union as a key opportunity to enhance bilateral economic exchanges.
Aref traveled to Moscow earlier on Monday at the official invitation of the Russian Prime Minister. During his visit, he is also expected to hold meetings with officials from other participating countries attending the SCO gathering.
