Tehran - BORNA - Alexey Dedov, Russia's Ambassador to Iran, said Moscow is providing assistance to Iran to find solutions for the issue surrounding its nuclear program and will continue this support.
Dedov, speaking to the TASS news agency on Tuesday, stated that Tehran and Moscow are in continuous contact to resolve the situation surrounding Iran's nuclear program, which has been created due to the actions of Western countries. "We are providing comprehensive assistance to Tehran in finding a long-term political and diplomatic solution to the current crisis and will continue to do so."
According to the Russian Ambassador, consultations between Russia and Iran continue at various levels, and every possible effort is being made to find an effective diplomatic solution.
The Russian Ambassador stressed: "As a result, these [efforts to apply pressure on Iran] do not create any legal obligation for the real members of the international community."
The UN Security Council on September 26 rejected the draft resolution proposed by Russia and China, which would have extended Resolution 2231 of the UN Security Council regarding the 2015 nuclear deal for six months. Consequently, the UN sanctions lifted against Iran were reinstated on September 28 following the activation of the snapback mechanism by the European Troika.
Iran and Russia Have Consensus on Most Bilateral, Regional, and International Issues
The Russian diplomat further emphasized that "Russia-Iran relations have reached an unprecedented level."
Dedov clarified: Tehran and Moscow have comprehensive and reliable dialogues, as well as consensus on most bilateral, regional, and international issues.
He told TASS: "In recent years, relations have reached an unprecedented level, formalized through the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which our Presidents signed on January 17, 2025, in Moscow during the historic visit of [Iranian] President Masoud Pezeshkian to Russia. In this regard, trade has increased, and the implementation of many large projects in various fields has commenced."
The Russian Ambassador noted: "Over the past three years, turnover, mutual trade, and interest in cooperation among business and creative communities have increased significantly, and large new projects have been launched in the banking, transport, energy, and nuclear sectors. Among the newest [projects], I can point to the ongoing integration of the national payment systems Mir and Shetab, the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway section as part of the ambitious International North-South Transport Corridor project, and the construction of the second and third units of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant."
According to the report, on January 17, Presidents Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian signed the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. The pact entered into force on October 2. This document establishes a legal framework for the further long-term development of cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. The pact solidifies Russia and Iran's standing as strategic partners and covers all fields.
Practical Work Underway within the Framework of High-Powered Nuclear Project
Alexey Dedov also explained, referring to the fact that "Iran and Russia are working on a large-scale nuclear power plant project": "Practical work is underway within the framework of the high-powered nuclear power plant project: the project concept has been defined, a contractual roadmap has been drawn up and agreed upon by the parties, and the first contract [for the development of design documentation] is being prepared."
As the senior Russian diplomat mentioned, according to TASS, the parties are simultaneously working on the Small Nuclear Power Plant (SNPP) project under the Memorandum of Understanding and cooperation signed regarding the construction of small nuclear power plants.
Dedov stated in this regard: "Consultations are currently underway to agree on an intergovernmental protocol for cooperation in the construction of a high-powered nuclear power plant in Iran. The signing of this document will initiate the active phase of this project."
Rosatom announced on September 24 that delegations from Russia and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the construction of small nuclear power plants in the Islamic Republic of Iran. This document outlines specific steps for the implementation of this strategic project in Iran.
On September 26, Iran and Russia signed a $25 billion contract for the construction of the Hormoz Nuclear Power Plant, the construction of which was ordered in February 2024 by the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. This power plant will include four units with a total capacity of 5,000 megawatts and will be located near the cities of Minab and Sirik in Iran's Hormozgan province.
Cultural Capacities Remain Untapped
In another part of the interview, the Moscow Ambassador referred to the immense potential for cooperation between Russia and Iran in the fields of tourism, culture, and education, emphasizing that these capacities still remain untapped and more efforts are needed in these areas.
He noted: "There are still virgin potentials in tourism, culture, and education. Significant growth in tourism can be achieved in the near future by opening new destinations and expanding the abundance and geography of air travel. It is essential to hold more joint cultural events and ensure the regular exchange of creative groups."
Dedov specifically mentioned the education sector, where the main obstacle to cooperation is the issue of mutual recognition of educational certificates.
Referring to the fact that the certification of the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, where nearly 4,000 Iranian students still study, has recently ceased to be recognized, he stressed: "Despite over 300 cooperation documents between our educational institutions and the fact that more than 9,000 Iranian students study in Russia, the number of Russian universities whose graduation certificates are recognized in Iran is very small."
The Russian Ambassador further described Russian culture as highly popular in Iran and announced that several cultural events will be held in the Iranian capital in the near future.
According to him, the Russian Culture Festival in Iran, held in June, demonstrated how popular Russian literature, theater, and music are in the Islamic Republic.
Alexey Dedov clarified: "We see how much demand there is in Iran, a country with a great historical and cultural civilization, for our literature, theater, music, fine arts, and cinema. Indeed, the Russian Culture Festival in Iran, held in June, was a great success. Days of Iranian Culture in Russia are planned for the coming year."
The Ambassador further said that several other cultural events will be held in the Iranian capital in the near future, including a large exhibition of paintings by young Russian and Iranian artists, and moreover, the next meeting of the Russian-Iranian Joint Commission on the 'Orthodox-Islam' Dialogue, which is scheduled for the first half of November.
The "Days of Russian Culture" festival was held in Iran in June, which included performances by the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, the Lezginka State Ensemble of the Republic of Daghestan, Russian film screenings, and an exhibition of folk arts and crafts in Tehran.
Western Actions Against Iran Are Illegal
The Russian diplomat also cited administrative and technical hurdles, illegal sanctions imposed by third countries, and a lack of awareness of mutual capabilities among business circles as the main obstacles to trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, while at the same time, assuring that both sides are diligently working daily to resolve all urgent issues.
Dedov also said that the Russian side considers the actions taken by the Europeans, and supported by Washington, to reinstate UN Security Council sanctions to be legally and procedurally indefensible. He emphasized: "Therefore, [the efforts to apply pressure on Iran] do not create any legal obligation for good-faith participants in the international community."
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