Putin voices Russia’s will to boost Iran ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded relations with Iran as “very good,” voicing Moscow’s determination to further develop ties with Tehran.
“We have very good relations with Iran. And we will enhance them in every possible way... That is why we do our utmost in order to develop relations with Iran, and will keep this up in the future,” TASS news agency quoted Putin as saying.
Putin made the comment on Wednesday night in the resort city of Sochi while addressing winners and finalists of a competition to choose the best teacher in Russia.
Pointing to the establishment of educational institutions in Iran, as part of a broader goal to forge closer ties, Putin added that Moscow should “see interest” from countries “in order to establish educational institutions
there.”
“However, the idea is a good one, since it implies soft power in the kindest and best sense of this word, the promotion of our culture and our education systems. We will mull this over as well,” the president emphasized.
Iran and Russia, as two close and strategic allies, have over the past years deepened their relations in various fields, including military and defense, despite being under heavy Western sanctions.
Heading a high-ranking military delegation, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu traveled to Tehran last month upon an official invitation by Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri.
In a meeting with the Russian defense chief on September 20, Baqeri said Tehran and Moscow are working to draw up a long-term military cooperation agreement in the near future as the world moves towards an increasingly multipolar order.
The top Iranian general stressed the need for enhancement of ties between the two countries.
Shoigu’s visit came a month after a visit to Moscow by a delegation, led by Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari, the commander of the Iranian Army’s Ground Force.