Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday hailed what he called President Vladimir Putin’s “measures and decision” on Syria which have led to the “enhancement of Russia’s regional and global status”, Iran’s leader’s website reported.
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While it was generally understood that Syria would be the main focus of high-level meetings during Putin’s visit, the Russian president was also there for a natural gas conference, reflecting only one part of the emerging economic collaboration between the two Asian powers.
“The conversation was of a very constructive nature”, Peskov said.
A Kremlin spokesman said Moscow and Tehran were united against “external attempts to dictate scenarios of political settlement in Syria”. Iran must also reduce ts supply of low-enriched uranium, which stood at 7,845 kilograms in August, down to 300 kilograms. Khamenei commended Russia’s work on the Iran nuclear accord, and vowed not to negotiate with the US again.
Putin visit to Tehran is being hailed in Syria and Lebanon as a “meeting of the titans” but USA and European Union still strongly hold the view that any solution in Syria must include the removal of Assad.
Russian Federation has shielded Syria from sanctions, and on September 30 launched an air campaign against the Islamic State and other insurgents, while Tehran has sent military advisers to shore up Assad.
Kazakhstan, Iraq, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman and Peru are observer members of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.
Khamenei praised Putin as an outstanding figure in the region and the world and thanked him for his efforts in bringing about a final nuclear deal between Iran and the six world powers.
In order to enhance the effectiveness of joint operations by Russian Federation and Iran against the Islamic State Moscow is keen to encourage Tehran by supplying its S-300 air defense systems, issuing an export loan and launching joint projects in energy and construction.
Russian companies are eyeing business opportunities in Iran after sanctions are lifted, a step expected in the next two months as Tehran’s July 14 nuclear deal with world powers reaches its “implementation” stage.
The refugee crisis in Europe and the intensified threat of Islamic State terror attacks there have recently forced the United States and Europe to accept the need to involve Russian Federation and Iran in ending the Syrian civil war.
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The Russian delegation travelling to Tehran included not only high level politicians such as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, but also energy industry representatives including Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller and Rosneft head Igor Sechin.
