Page 11 - IRANRptFeb22

2.5 Iran’s Raisi offers Putin multifaceted expansion of cooperation in Moscow talks
Ebrahim Raisi, paying his first visit to Moscow as Iranian president, on January 19 told Russian leader Vladimir Putin that Iran stands ready to expand cooperation with Russia in the political, economic, defence and security spheres, as well as in space exploration.
Iran, said Raisi, a conservative cleric, has drafted a proposed agreement on “strategic cooperation” between the countries that would cover the next 20 years. “We would like to develop strong and multifaceted ties with Russia. These relations should be durable and strategic,” Raisi added.
Since Raisi came to power last summer, Iran has placed more emphasis on strengthening relations with Russia, China and other countries of its near-abroad and has paid less heed to reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, or JCPOA. If re-established, the JCPOA would open the way to better trade and relations for Iran with countries right around the world, including with the US and Europe. However, the Raisi administration has lavished such attention on upgrading relations with Russia and China that some analysts have started referring to a three-way growing triangle of influence. Moscow last year backed Iran’s ascension into the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a Eurasian political, economic and security alliance. China, India and Pakistan, as well as all the Central Asian Stans except Turkmenistan, are also among its members. Belarus and Mongolia are SCO observer states.
At his talks with Raisi, Putin praised the two countries’ cooperation on the crisis in Syria and other international issues.
After greeting Raisi at the Kremlin, Putin noted joint efforts by Moscow and Tehran have played a core role in “helping the Syrian government overcome the threats posed by international terrorism”.
Russia and Iran have shored up Syrian President Bashar Assad, helping his government reclaim most of the country’s territory after a devastating civil war. Turkey, which still has a military presence backing various militants in parts of northern Syria, remains opposed to Assad.
In 2018, Russia made a deal with Iran that keeps Iranian and Iran-backed fighters away from the Golan Heights. The move helps address Israeli concerns about Iranian entrenchment in Syria, while helping to preserve good relations between the Russians and Israelis.
At the start of his talks with Raisi, Putin also mentioned that he would like to discuss the shared concerns of Iran and Russia as regards the situation in Afghanistan. Neither Tehran or Moscow have recognised the Taliban government established in Afghanistan since last August, arguing the Taliban regime must become inclusive, allowing for the governmental participation of the country’s Persian-speaking and other minorities.
11 IRAN Country Report February 2022 www.intellinews.com