Russia and Iran Strengthen Ties at BRICS Parliamentary Forum

In a significant development, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with the Iranian parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, on the sidelines of the 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, on July 11. The speakers of both chambers of the Russian parliament also attended the meeting.

The talks marked a significant milestone in Iran’s integration into the BRICS grouping, which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Iran is one of the newest members of the bloc, and the meeting reflected the strengthening of ties between Russia and Iran.

Putin expressed his country’s delight at Iran’s full participation in the BRICS bloc, paying tribute to the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Raisi had been instrumental in promoting cooperation between Russia and Iran, particularly in the areas of “military-technical cooperation.”

Ghalibaf, elected as Iran’s new parliament speaker following Raisi’s death in a plane crash, said that his country was committed to effective cooperation in various fields. He emphasized that the collaboration between Iran and Russia would improve the region’s economy and counter Western unilateralism.

The 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum is set to close on July 12, with the participants agreeing to continue working together to promote collective growth and development.