Russia-Iran relations: 'No one can drive a wedge between us...'

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko highlighted the solid basis of friendship underpinning the bilateral relations between Russia and Iran, declaring that no one can drive a wedge between Moscow and Tehran.

Rudenko stated, "As a sovereign country, Iran has the right to conduct its foreign policy as it sees fit. For our part, we believe that the relations between Russia and Iran are built on a solid foundation of friendship and neighborliness, and are not susceptible to external influences despite the dirty tricks of our adversaries and attempts to create divisions between our two nations."

Rudenko recalled that senior members of the Iranian government, including those who recently met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, assured him of their readiness to "strengthen all forms of ties and implement mutually beneficial projects in accordance with the strategic path set by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei."

Rudenko previously told TASS that Russia and Iran had completed the draft of a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, which is expected to be signed in the near future.