TEHRAN, 20 Oct. - (ANA) - Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasised that Iran and Russia have the "closest strategic relationship in history" following talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Tehran. 

 

Araghchi hosted his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Iran on Monday, in his first visit since the outbreak of the conflict.

 

"We covered everything from Europe to West Asia, including Lebanon, Palestine, Ukraine and Yemen. Also focused on expansion of economic and nuclear cooperation," Araghchi wrote on X.

 

"Never in our history have Iran and Russia worked as closely as now."

 

Lavrov said ahead of the visit that Moscow's efforts "aimed at preventing the return of a large-scale war", with talks stalled between the United States and Iran.

 

His visit came after Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian this month that Moscow was prepared to contribute to mediation efforts.

 

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said the United States continues to hit Iran hard "economically and militarily" and praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for "laying off Iran"- (ANA) - 

 

AB/ANA/20 October 2026 - - -