Mikhail Mishustin’s meeting with First Vice President of Iran Mohammad Reza Aref

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the meeting of the Heads of Government Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Excerpts from the transcript:

Mikhail Mishustin: Greetings, esteemed Mr Aref. Welcome to the Government House of the Russian Federation.

First of all, I would like to ask you to convey my warm greetings and best wishes to President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian. I fondly recall my meeting with him during my visit to Iran last year.

We firmly support the strengthening of Russian-Iranian relations, which are based on the principles of friendship, good-neighbourliness, mutual respect, and consideration of each other's interests.

On 2 October, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Moscow last January, entered into force.

The task of our governments is to ensure the practical implementation of the decisions taken at the highest level.

It is important that our trade and economic cooperation continues to develop successfully. In May, the Free Trade Agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Iran, signed on 25 December 2023, entered into force. Its implementation will increase trade and diversify its structure.

In the transport sector, we are paying special attention to the development of the North-South international corridor. This strategic route plays a vital role in enhancing the connectivity of the Eurasian region.

Without doubt, we are interested in further expanding our humanitarian cooperation. I would like to recall that more than 9,500 Iranian students are currently studying at Russian universities. Cooperation in science, culture, sports, and tourism is also strengthening.

We have a substantial agenda, so I would like to give the floor to you, Mr Aref.

Mohammad Reza Aref (via interpreter) : Mr Mishustin, Prime Minister of the friendly Russian Federation, thank you very much.

I am very pleased that we have the opportunity to meet. I am confident that our discussions will strengthen our ties, further advance our bilateral relations, elevate them to a higher level, and ultimately contribute to deeper multilateral relations.

Thank you for your support on the international stage, especially regarding the snapback dispute resolution mechanism. I would also like to congratulate you on the excellent organisation of the SCO Heads of Government Meeting. BRICS, the SCO, and the Eurasian Economic Union are international groupings with great potential.

Working within these associations and organisations can accelerate our joint progress and further consolidate our ties. Our bilateral relations are developing across virtually all areas. We believe that, despite the already high level of economic cooperation, there remains untapped potential for further advancement.

We cooperate with the friendly Russian Federation in almost every sphere. Our presidents have held constructive meetings, most recently on the sidelines of the SCO summit in China.

It is fortunate that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement was signed and has recently entered into force. This provides a solid foundation for advancing our cooperation to a new level.

With regard to the strategic partnership between our countries, I am pleased to note that internal procedures are currently underway for bilateral agreements in the field of international cybersecurity, and the relevant authorised agencies are completing the work necessary to put them into practical implementation. Given the current situation in cyberspace in the Islamic Republic of Iran, our Government attaches great importance to accelerating this process. Strengthening security cooperation is essential to protect our critical infrastructure.

We hope that the Russian side will also give this matter the attention it deserves. Iranian agencies are currently working to expedite the practical implementation of all our agreements.

The previous meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission between Russia and the Islamic Republic of Iran was successfully held in Moscow.

Iran is ready to host the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on trade and economic cooperation on 16-18 February 2026.

We propose these dates and are waiting for your response.