Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for Moscow’s support for Tehran during the Iran war and over US sanctions, saying Iran and Russia can work together to resist what he called US “unilateralism”.
Pezeshkian made the remarks during a meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. It was the first meeting between the two leaders since the conflict broke out.
“We appreciate and thank you for your positions at every stage, both during the period when the fighting and acts of aggression were taking place and under normal circumstances, when the United States was imposing sanctions on us, both at the United Nations and in international forums,” Pezeshkian told Putin.
“This shows that our relationship is a strategic relationship; it is not an ordinary relationship,” he added.
Pezeshkian said Moscow and Tehran could work together to resist US “unilateralism”, highlighting the increasingly close ties between the two heavily sanctioned countries.
Putin backs Iran, praises its ‘courage’
Putin, in response, said Russia stood in solidarity with the Iranian people and would continue supporting Tehran.
“We admire your courage and resilience in the fight for your national interests,” Putin said, according to Russian media.
The Russian president added that Moscow was “trying to provide you with the assistance you need”.
Putin also said Russia and Iran would maintain the momentum in their economic and trade ties despite the ongoing military and political tensions.
“Despite the military and political situation, we are maintaining the momentum of our trade and economic relations from last year,” he said.
Russia and Iran have significantly expanded their military, economic and trade cooperation in recent years, particularly as both countries have faced extensive Western sanctions.
Pezeshkian signals openness to US ceasefire deal
Pezeshkian’s meeting with Putin came a day after Iran and the United States resumed exchanging fire following more than a month of relative calm.
Earlier Tuesday, Pezeshkian said Tehran was ready to return to a June agreement aimed at ending the conflict if Washington also returned to its commitments.
“If the United States returns to its commitments” under the June memorandum, Iran “will immediately take reciprocal action”, according to the Iranian presidency’s website.
The agreement was intended to establish an immediate ceasefire and launch a 60-day period of negotiations toward a broader peace deal. It included commitments concerning the Strait of Hormuz, the US naval blockade, sanctions and Iranian oil exports.
However, the deal collapsed after both Washington and Tehran accused each other of violating its terms.
Pezeshkian warned that a renewed US policy of “pressure and threats” could undermine efforts to find a diplomatic solution.
Strait of Hormuz remains key flashpoint
The Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the confrontation. Tehran has maintained restrictions on shipping through the strategic waterway, while Washington has imposed a naval counter-blockade on Iranian ports.
The two sides exchanged fire again on Monday, raising concerns that the conflict could escalate after weeks of relative calm.
The latest developments have also intensified diplomatic efforts by countries seeking to bring Washington and Tehran back to negotiations.
Putin, Pezeshkian meet amid Trump warning
The Putin-Pezeshkian meeting took place a day after US President Donald Trump threatened to hit Iran “hard” following the renewed exchange of attacks.
Trump has also warned Russia and China against providing military assistance to Tehran.
Despite those warnings, Moscow has continued to deepen its relationship with Iran.
Pezeshkian and Putin’s meeting was held during the SCO summit, which has brought together leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The summit has also underscored Moscow and Beijing’s efforts to promote a more multipolar international order amid tensions with Washington.
Putin told the SCO gathering that the UN Charter should remain a key source of international law, while arguing that new regional structures were becoming part of a “multipolar world”.
US pressure campaign continues
The latest diplomatic signals came as US President Donald Trump threatened further military action against Iran following Monday’s exchange of fire.
Trump has also pursueed what Washington describes as a campaign of “economic asphyxiation” against Iran.
The conflict began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior Iranian military officials, according to the account provided.
Iran retaliated with attacks across the region, while the conflict increasingly centred on the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran imposed a blockade on the strategic waterway, while Washington established a naval counter-blockade of Iranian ports.
An April 8 ceasefire ended the most intense phase of fighting, but subsequent attacks and the collapse of the June framework have prevented a lasting peace agreement.
SCO summit becomes diplomatic backdrop
The latest meeting between Pezeshkian and Putin took place as leaders from China, Russia and India gathered at the SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan.
The organisation has increasingly been portrayed as a counterweight to US global influence.
