TEHRAN- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had on Monday a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, in which he reiterated Moscow’s respect for Iran’s territorial integrity.

The comprehensive agreement between the two countries stipulates the mutual commitment of the parties to the basic principles of relations between the two countries, including unconditional respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and other principles of the United Nations Charter. 

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, the ministers discussed and condemned the attack of the United States and Britain on Yemen.  

It also noted that the foreign ministers of Russia and Iran discussed the progress of the preparation of the new intergovernmental agreement and a number of operational issues of bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, transportation, logistics and other fields.

During the phone call, special attention was paid to the intensification of tensions in West Asia. 

In order to deliver prompt assistance to the impacted population, the foreign ministries of Russia and Iran demanded an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and unimpeded humanitarian access to the region.

The Russian ministry added that they emphasized the UN Charter in the big intergovernmental agreement that is being prepared for signing between the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Last week during a phone call, Amir Abdollahian and Lavrov discussed issues on the bilateral relations agenda and regional developments, encompassing the latest events in the war on Gaza and the Red Sea situation.

According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s website, the Iranian foreign minister, while emphasizing the importance of international maritime security, criticized the U.S. attempt to pass a resolution against Yemen under the pretext of defending Red Sea security.

“The developments in the Red Sea are related to Gaza and the behavior of the U.S. and the Israeli regime towards Palestine; and, proposing such a resolution lays the groundwork for increased American military presence in the region and the Red Sea,” he continued.

The two senior diplomats spoke over the phone on the latest events in the Gaza Strip and the ongoing killing of people by the Zionists.

The massacre of the oppressed Palestinian people and the attacks on Gaza must stop, according to Iran’s foreign minister.

Iran, Russia defense ministers vow to step up bilateral ties 

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Monday held a phone conversation with Iran’s Defense Minister Mohammadreza Ashtiani.

The two ministers discussed military cooperation and regional security as Tehran and Moscow have invariably scaled up their joint efforts in the interests of building an equal multipolar world.

Last year, President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran held talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin.

At the meeting, the Iranian president said it is “essential” to immediately stop the Israeli “genocide” in the Gaza Strip.

He also said what is more painful is that the United States and other Western countries are backing the Zionist regime in its crimes in Gaza and the international bodies and the self-proclaimed human rights organizations have lost their relevance.

The Iranian president said the cruelty against the people of Gaza has “turned into the greatest headache for humanity in today’s world”.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Raisi said Iran and Russia have established good cooperation in areas of energy, agriculture, and knowledge-based companies and “better steps can be taken in line with the interests of the two countries and nations.”

Expressing delight over the growing ties, Raisi said cooperation with Russia is “highly important” in line with Iran’s “policy of neighborliness.”