Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu visited Tehran, Iran, where he met with senior military and security officials. The visit aimed to strengthen the military cooperation between Iran and Russia, which has been steadily expanding in recent years.
During his visit, Shoigu toured an Iranian missile and drone exhibition, showcasing the technological advancements achieved by both countries in the defense sector. This exhibition highlighted the deepening military ties between Iran and Russia, with both countries working together on a new long-term cooperation plan.
In addition to the exhibition, Shoigu and his Iranian counterparts discussed joint military exercises scheduled for February 2024. These exercises further demonstrate the growing partnership between the two countries in the military realm.
Shoigu expressed his belief that the relations between Iran and Russia have reached a new level, emphasizing the importance of expanding cooperation in various fields, including defense. He also dismissed the futility of sanctions imposed on both Russia and Iran, asserting that such measures only strengthen their resolve to work together.
During the exhibition, Shoigu was shown an array of Iranian arms, including the Shahed-136 drone. Western allies have accused Iran of supplying this drone to Russia for the Ukrainian war. However, Iran denies these allegations and supports negotiations to end the conflict.
Moreover, Shoigu and his Iranian counterparts discussed the tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. Iran, as a member of the 3+3 format which includes Iran, Russia, and Turkey, supports talks within this framework to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The two sides also touched upon the issue of “US unilateralism” and military sanctions imposed on Iran. Iran emphasized the importance of countering shared challenges and called for solidarity among nations facing such sanctions.
Overall, the visit of Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu to Tehran showcased the growing military cooperation between Iran and Russia. The discussions held and the agreements reached during this visit are expected to further strengthen the ties between the two nations, especially in the defense sector.
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