Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke by phone on Monday, discussing bilateral ties, regional developments, and international issues.

Why it matters

With increasing Western pressure on Russia and Iran, and the West’s stance on the Ukrainian conflict and Iran’s position in West Asia, Tehran and Moscow are seeking to consolidate their positions by strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation within regional blocs.

The Big Picture

The call reflects growing Iran-Russia coordination amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and broader West Asia conflicts. Both countries are positioning themselves as partners in shaping regional diplomacy outside Western influence.

What they're saying:

Araghchi highlighted Iran’s diplomatic initiatives with regional countries aimed at safeguarding peace and stability, urging broader participation from all stakeholders.

He emphasized Iran’s constructive engagement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), urging the agency to adhere to its technical mandate and avoid political influence from the U.S. and some European members.

Lavrov welcomed the idea of a regional consultation framework and reaffirmed Moscow’s readiness to maintain close coordination with Tehran.

He underscored Russia’s efforts at the United Nations to uphold the UN Charter and emphasized the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, rejecting any actions undermining those rights.

Between the lines:

Both sides pointed to the upcoming IAEA Board of Governors meeting, agreeing to coordinate positions and reiterating that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful.

Zoom out:

The ministers also discussed consular issues, signaling continued cooperation across multiple fronts.

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