Mohsen Rezaei–Putin Meeting: Hormuz and Nuclear Cooperation

Doctor, naturally, I think, um— The most important news in recent days related to Russia, the Russian Federation, was Major General Mohsen Rezaei's visit He is secretary of the country's Supreme National Security Council, and he went to Russia You were also present at the meeting.

Uh—As it was reported in the media, the meeting lasted three hours.

I mean, I think it was a noteworthy meeting, both in terms of its duration and the level of importance of those who took part on the Iranian and Russian sides.

Could you share some details about what was exchanged?

Naturally, some of it is confidential. But what can be discussed, please tell us a little more about it.

What topics were discussed between the Iranian and Russian sides?

Yes, well, if we were to categorize it, there were discussions in several areas.

First, well, Dr. Rezaei was carrying a message from the Supreme Leader for Mr. Putin and he delivered that message, and also read parts of it to Mr. Putin.

Well, of course, the Leader had said at the end of his message that Mr. Rezaei, on his behalf, would discuss some matters with Mr. Putin.

These matters were presented in several sections, uh— and there was some back-and-forth.

One part of it went back to the latest issues concerning the war and the issues surrounding the aggression uh—by the U.S. and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran and what developments had taken place during this period,

and what exchanges had occurred. The Islamic Republic of Iran's seven conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz were explained, and the interactions that took place in this area were explained by Mr. Rezaei to Mr. Putin.

Well, in this section too, of course, we also heard Mr. Putin's views, and Mr. Rezaei also heard Mr. Putin's views and presented the points he had.

The second section concerned the area related to nuclear issues and the cooperation we have in this regard, the power plants Russia is building in Iran, and also Some of the hardships that the Islamic Republic of Iran faced in this area came from the International Atomic Energy Agency as well as the attacks by the Americans and Israelis

on Iran’s nuclear facilities and the fact that, well, ultimately, our facilities are peaceful and operate entirely within the framework of the rules and regulations.

Another part of this had to do with the four-party summit held in Tehran where, once again, Dr. Rezaei explained the summit and the Russians also announced, in any case, that these regional security arrangements, if homegrown and shaped by the countries of the region,

could certainly be important. But it was stressed that in these security arrangements, the Russians said, “We have said many times, and told the Arab countries too, and in the recent meeting Mr. Lavrov had with the Arab countries, he said that with the Islamic Republic of Iran excluded, you cannot achieve anything…

at all. It achieved robust security arrangements and durability.

Well, another part of the discussion was about regional issues and regional security, and discussions taking place around both Russia and Iran.

The importance of regions like the South Caucasus and Central Asia and the cooperation in this area that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation should pursue together.

Another part of this was, well, uh— We moved on to bilateral relati— bilateral relations and the projects currently underway, and of course, both countries need to facilitate and expedite them, both in terms of the railway and the project related to Rasht, Astara, and the North-South Corridor,

and the very good decisions our country made in this regard uh— These were conveyed to Mr. Putin, and also regarding another megaproject between the two countries, the transfer of gas from the Russian Federation to Iran,

to the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was also discussed in this regard.

And also our other areas of cooperation in various fields.

They also Dr. Rezaei and Mr. Putin reviewed these together.

As you mentioned, the meeting lasted about three hours.

It was a very cordial meeting, and the discussions were frank, serious, and convergent.

That is, in most areas, there was agreement and a shared view between Dr. Rezaei, as the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran and representative of the Supreme Leader, and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, and Mr. Putin, as the President of Russia.