Russiaupdated 1h ago2 min read
Mishustin Says Russia Prioritizes Expanding Trade With Iran During Tajikistan Visit
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Moscow prioritizes expanding trade and economic cooperation with Iran, Mishustin states. Iran asks Russia to reinforce Caspian ports to safeguard trade with Tehran.
Mishustin in Tajikistan
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said Moscow prioritizes expanding trade and economic cooperation with Iran during a two-day state visit to Tajikistan, where he met with Iranian counterpart Mohammad Reza Aref in Dushanbe. Mishustin told Aref to convey Russian President Vladimir Putin’s greetings to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, as he stressed that mutual trade is growing despite “illegal sanctions imposed on both countries.”
Iran’s first vice president Mohammad Reza Arif said Iran asked Russia to reinforce its ports on the Caspian Sea to safeguard trade with Tehran amid difficulties created by Ukraine in the north of the country. Arif said the northern route between the two countries is of “great importance for the development of relations,” especially for the supply of cereals and basic foods, and he said Kiev should not be allowed to create problems and obstacles in relations between Moscow and Tehran.
SCO meeting and logistics
Mishustin made the same priority statement in a meeting with First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Mishustin highlighted progress on the International North-South Transport Corridor, saying its development would help establish new production and logistics chains across Eurasia.
Tehran Times said Iran, Russia and China emphasized stronger economic ties and regional cooperation during meetings with Iranian First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref on the sidelines of an SCO gathering in Dushanbe. Chinese Premier Li Qiang condemned the US-Israeli war against Iran as “blatant aggression” during negotiations and without UN Security Council authorization, while reaffirming Beijing’s opposition to unilateral US sanctions and support for Iran’s legitimate rights.
Limits of support
An Iranian newspaper warned that political, economic, and defense cooperation with China and Russia does not necessarily mean their commitment to defend Iran militarily, stressing the need for a realistic vision for relations with Beijing and Moscow. The report said, “In international politics, relations between states should be evaluated not only on official data but also on common interests, practical commitments, and the costs they are willing to bear for one another.”
The newspaper argued that the strategic partnership agreement between Iran and Russia signed in 2025 did not create a mutual commitment to military defense, and it said Moscow condemned Israeli and American attacks on Iran and supported a diplomatic solution but did not enter the war. The report added that “Military cooperation, intelligence exchange, and diplomatic coordination can be a valuable asset for Iran,” but it said none of these matters alone guarantees military intervention by one party to defend the other.