Aref: Iranophobia has had no effect on Russian public opinion

According to Rokna, citing the Government Information Center, Mohammad Reza Aref, in a meeting with a number of Iranian diplomats in Russia, referred to Iran’s past efforts to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. He said that since the early 2000s, “we concluded that we must become a member of regional organizations, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and play an effective role in these bodies. Therefore, our efforts to attain membership in this organization began in that decade, and member states of the organization also responded positively to Iran’s approach. Iran’s presence in this organization was important for them as well.”

He continued by emphasizing the importance of Iran’s active participation and influence in regional organizations, noting: “The strategy of elevating the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran within regional unions began two decades ago. Membership in the Eurasian Union is also of great significance to us because Eurasian countries share part of our civilizational domain and possess extensive cultural and civilizational commonalities with us.”

Aref, stressing that cultivating multilateral relations with regional unions has become one of Iran’s foreign policy priorities, added: “In the sphere of foreign relations, we must employ various forms of diplomacy. Given the historical, civilizational, and cultural commonalities with Eurasian countries, cultural diplomacy can help strengthen our relations with them.”

The First Vice President stated that achieving strategic relations with regional countries, including Russia, has been among Iran’s priorities since the late 1990s. He added: “Russia possesses significant capabilities and capacities, and cooperation with this country has been pursued within the framework of mutual interests. Today, a comprehensive joint strategic agreement between Iran and Russia has been achieved.”

Aref further underscored: “Cooperation between Iran and Russia is conducted based on national interests, national security, and regional conditions. Iran’s cooperation with Russia is pursued according to mutual interests. Fundamentally, Iran holds a strategic cooperation outlook toward its neighbors.”

He added: “Based on surveys conducted in Russia, Iranophobia has had no effect on public opinion in this country. We, too, must explain to our people that we share borders and common interests with Russia and that we seek to secure mutual benefit.”

The First Vice President also referred to Russia’s stance and its support for Iran regarding the activation of the snapback mechanism by the three European countries, stating: “Russia’s position in this matter was important for us. Today we have strong political and strategic relations with Russia, and we must enhance these ties in various fields including advanced technologies, trade and commerce, tourism, as well as scientific and cultural exchanges.”

At the beginning of the meeting, several Iranian diplomats residing in Russia presented their views on relations between Iran and Russia.