News - World: Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu says relations with Iran are “reaching new highs” in defiance of the West’s pressure campaign targeting both countries.

Speaking during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani in Tehran on Wednesday, Shoigu said Russia and Iran are determined to undertake planned activities despite opposition from the US and its Western allies. 

“The pressure of sanctions on Russia and Iran is proving to be futile, while Russia-Iran cooperation is reaching new highs,” he added.

The Russian defense chief further expressed his satisfaction with the enhanced Russia-Iran dialogue that resulted from the trust-based relationship between the leaders of the two countries.

“The high intensity of meetings confirms our common determination to continue boosting the strategic defense partnership,” he noted.

Shoigu also announced Russia’s readiness “to take further joint steps [with Iran] to strengthen stability and security in the Middle East.”

Ashtiani, for his part, said that Iran-Russia cooperation in regional and international arenas can guarantee the interests and security of both states.

“The defense and military cooperation between the two countries has always been pursued with the support of high-ranking leaders in a bid to strengthen and consolidate stability and security in the region and the international system,” he noted.

“Dealing with common challenges, including the US unilateralism, is one of the important and strategic issues regarding the joint cooperation.”

Ashtiani described as successful bilateral cooperation in the counter-terrorism fight in West Asia, saying military and defense ties will definitely continue within the framework of international peace and security.

The Iranian defense minister also expressed his opposition to the presence of extra-regional forces in West Asia.

“Preserving the territorial integrity of regional countries and international borders is among the red lines of the Islamic Republic.

“In this regard, we consider the proposed 3+3 format a strategy for the peaceful resolution of problems in the Caucasus region,” he said, referring to the cooperation mechanism that features the three South Caucasus countries of Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan plus Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

Heading a high-ranking military delegation, Shoigu traveled to Tehran on Tuesday upon an official invitation by the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri.

Following the meeting, Baqeri said that Tehran and Moscow are working to draw up a long-term military cooperation agreement in the near future.

Shoigu’s visit comes a month after a visit to Moscow by a delegation, led by Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari, the commander of the Iranian Army’s Ground Force.

Iran and Russia are both subject to illegal Western sanctions. They have over the past years deepened their relations in various fields, including military and defense, and become close allies.

Source: Press TV