Pezeshkian Calls for Lifting US Sanctions Against Iran and Russia in Meeting with Putin

The President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, during a meeting with his Russian counterpart at the BRICS summit, stated that the US sanctions against both countries and its authoritarianism must be dismantled. On Wednesday, October 24, at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Tatarstan, he emphasized that he personally follows up on the memorandums signed with Russia. He mentioned that the Iran-Russia relationship is 'strategic, inevitable, and beneficial for both countries.' Russian President Vladimir Putin also noted that strengthening economic and trade cooperation with the Islamic Republic is one of the 'priorities of the Kremlin.' He specifically referred to the signed agreements between Moscow and Tehran for the development of rail infrastructure, new nuclear power plants, and free trade between Iran and Eurasia. Putin stated, 'I want to emphasize that the approaches of Tehran and Moscow in the global agenda are more or less similar or identical. Both countries are willing to create a fair multipolar world order, respect international norms, and maintain the central role of the United Nations in global relations.' Over the past two years, the extensive supply of drones from the Islamic Republic to Russia for use in the Ukraine war has provoked strong Western criticism and led to sanctions against Iran. Russia's military invasion of Ukraine has also resulted in severe Western sanctions against that country. Pezeshkian and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the implementation of agreements regarding the Chabahar port. Last year, Iran had $950 million in exports and $1.7 billion in imports from Russia. Despite signing dozens of memorandums for the development of energy projects, rail infrastructure, etc., Russian companies have yet to finalize these agreements and sign contracts. On the same Wednesday, Pezeshkian also met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who stated that Beijing will 'continuously expand friendly cooperation with Iran, regardless of changes in the world and region.' Pezeshkian also met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, with the focus of the meeting being the Israel-Hamas and Hezbollah conflict. Egypt, along with the US and Qatar, is mediating in the Gaza war.