Lavrov says Russia will honor its economic agreements with Iran despite ‘challenging situation’

By Kanyshai Butun

ISTANBUL (AA) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday that Moscow would honor its economic agreements with Iran despite the “challenging situation,” reaffirming Russia’s commitment to bilateral cooperation following talks with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.

Speaking at a joint news conference in Tehran, Lavrov said Russian-Iranian cooperation is developing dynamically despite “known circumstances,” supported by a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty that entered into force last year.

He said bilateral trade last year rose 21% and grew by more than 10% in the first eight months of this year. The free trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union – a group of post-Soviet states – which took effect in May 2025 is also helping strengthen economic ties, he added.

Lavrov said Russian specialists are gradually returning to Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, noting “significant prospects in the field of hydrocarbon extraction and redistribution.” He also said that Russian contractors continued engineering work on the planned Rasht-Astara railway.

“Despite the challenging situation … Russia has no intention of abandoning the implementation of agreements with Iran in the economic and investment spheres,” Lavrov said.

The top diplomats also discussed regional security, including tensions in the Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz, he said. Lavrov welcomed Tehran’s commitment to diplomacy and called for a return to the pre-crisis situation, including the restoration of maritime traffic and guarantees against renewed aggression.

Lavrov also reiterated Russia’s proposal for collective security in the Gulf region, saying it envisions cooperation among the region’s coastal states, including the six Gulf Cooperation Council members and Iran.

He said the initiative aimed to build trust through agreed principles, greater transparency on military matters, and information-sharing on security issues. Permanent members of the UN Security Council, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation could also help facilitate dialogue, he added.

Lavrov also welcomed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed in August by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, stressing that its stated goals are to promote stability, peace, and peaceful cooperation. He said Russia would respect Iran’s decision if it concluded that engagement with the group could advance regional peace and development.

On the war in Ukraine, Lavrov said Russia has never deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure, except facilities he claimed directly supplied products to the Ukrainian armed forces. He also accused European countries and the administration of former US President Joe Biden of undermining global energy market stability by abandoning Russian energy supplies.

Lavrov said Moscow is not interested in volatile energy prices, stressing that stability was necessary for long-term economic planning.