TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking in a meeting on Monday with Head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament Ebrahim Azizi, Vasilenko reiterated Moscow’s firm positions in condemning the military aggression of the Israeli regime and the United States against Iran.

He also lauded Iranians’ resistance against enemy aggression.

Meanwhile, Azizi said a large number of international figures have also expressed their views about General Soleimani, among them the President of Nicaragua, who described him as a global honor, because he was martyred for fighting the enemies of humanity.

Referring to some European countries’ hostile behaviors towards Iran and Russia, he said that they rely on the US and that Washington’s background shows that relying on the White House would have a heavy cost for Europeans. “Russian ”

Stressing the importance of ensuring the security of the Caspian Sea region with the participation of the five coastal countries, Azizi said the Caspian Sea is a shared opportunity and heritage and a very good possibility for further convergence and interaction among the neighboring countries.

He emphasized Iran’s experiences in fighting unilateral and unfair Western sanctions and expressed Tehran’s readiness to share these experiences with Russia.

Meanwhile, Azizi said a large number of international figures have also expressed their views about General Soleimani, among them the President of Nicaragua, who described him as a global honor, because he was martyred for fighting the enemies of humanity.

Referring to some European countries’ hostile behaviors towards Iran and Russia, he said that they rely on the US and that Washington’s background shows that relying on the White House would have a heavy cost for Europeans. “Russian ”

Stressing the importance of ensuring the security of the Caspian Sea region with the participation of the five coastal countries, Azizi said the Caspian Sea is a shared opportunity and heritage and a very good possibility for further convergence and interaction among the neighboring countries.

He emphasized Iran’s experiences in fighting unilateral and unfair Western sanctions and expressed Tehran’s readiness to share these experiences with Russia.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Representatives of five Iranian tech firms formalized their bilateral agreements with Russian partners during a ceremony on Friday evening attended by Iran’s ambassador to Russia, the Iranian Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology for Technology and Innovation, and the Russian Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media.

The private Iranian tech companies traveled to Moscow as part of the fifth meeting of the Iran–Russia Joint Working Group on Communications and Information Technology. After two days of negotiations and bilateral sessions, several of their understandings were finalized in the form of cooperation contracts.

Earlier in the day, government officials from both countries had also signed a memorandum of understanding at the ministerial level.

Iran’s Ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, described the current period as a “golden era” in relations between the two countries. He referenced the comprehensive strategic treaty signed by the presidents of Iran and Russia in January 2025, emphasizing that the leaders of both nations have outlined major goals requiring the expansion of cooperation across multiple sectors.

Jalali praised the strong initiative of Iran’s Ministry of Communications and the various technology companies involved, noting that both nations possess significant capabilities and that such partnerships will undoubtedly benefit both sides.

He highlighted the active presence of young Iranian specialists in the delegation, noting that many talented youth work in fields such as IT, ICT, and artificial intelligence — with some even contributing to major global tech firms. Increased exchanges and face-to-face meetings, he said, not only advance mutual interests but also strengthen understanding between the two nations.

Alexander Shvytov, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media, expressed satisfaction with the successful conclusion of the joint working group’s fifth meeting. He said the agreements reached were the result of years of sustained effort.

“Today we were able to celebrate the achievements of years of work alongside the companies partnering with us, and we can confidently say that cooperation is continuing in a definite and structured way,” Shvytov stated.

He noted that although Iran and Russia have signed numerous agreements in the past, new areas of collaboration continue to emerge — sectors that serve the interests of both nations and their people.

Iran’s Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Meysam Abedi, said the contracts and understandings signed reflect three years of continuous follow-up between the two ministries and private-sector firms.

He called on Iranian and Russian companies to actively pursue the implementation of the agreements and to address any obstacles in coordination with government bodies in both countries.

Abedi added that Iran and Russia have the capacity to develop new joint market strategies in third countries, expressing hope that additional agreements in this area would be signed by next year’s sixth meeting of the joint working group, scheduled to be held in Tehran.

The fifth round of Iran–Russia joint ICT cooperation meetings concluded earlier on Friday, December 4, with the signing of a bilateral memorandum.

The Iranian delegation, headed by the Deputy Minister of Communications and accompanied by government officials and representatives from 16 leading Iranian technology companies, traveled to Moscow to participate in the working group and hold face-to-face sessions with top Russian tech firms.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Konstantin Georgiyevich, a retired Russian military official, commended Iran’s strong response to the Israeli regime, characterizing the recent 12-day war imposed by the regime as a terrorist act rather than a war.

Georgiyevich, now a guide at the Russian Navy Museum, expressed admiration for Iran’s military advancements and resilience against external pressures.

His remarks came during a visit by Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, the commander of the Iranian Navy, to St. Petersburg, where discussions focused on enhancing cooperation among Caspian Sea nations.

Admiral Irani’s visit to the Russian Cruiser Aurora coincided with the second day of a summit of naval commanders from Caspian Sea countries.

During the tour, Georgiyevich highlighted the significance of Iran’s military progress, stating that Iranians reminded the aggressors that they cannot confront a rooted and civilized nation. He noted that the Russian people take pride in Iran’s growth, especially as it stands firm against Western pressures and bullying polices.

The summit aims to strengthen collaboration among coastal nations, addressing various issues, including economic and environmental concerns related to the Caspian Sea.

Admiral Irani emphasized that the message of the summit is clear: the Caspian nations are now capable of making their own decisions regarding the sea’s governance.

Discussions with the naval commanders of the Russian Army, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan are among the other programs for the Iranian Admiral in St. Petersburg. He will also visit several naval military bases in the Gulf of Finland.

His remarks came during a visit by Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, the commander of the Iranian Navy, to St. Petersburg, where discussions focused on enhancing cooperation among Caspian Sea nations.

Admiral Irani’s visit to the Russian Cruiser Aurora coincided with the second day of a summit of naval commanders from Caspian Sea countries.

During the tour, Georgiyevich highlighted the significance of Iran’s military progress, stating that Iranians reminded the aggressors that they cannot confront a rooted and civilized nation. He noted that the Russian people take pride in Iran’s growth, especially as it stands firm against Western pressures and bullying polices.

The summit aims to strengthen collaboration among coastal nations, addressing various issues, including economic and environmental concerns related to the Caspian Sea.

Admiral Irani emphasized that the message of the summit is clear: the Caspian nations are now capable of making their own decisions regarding the sea’s governance.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Roman Ustinov, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the International Organizations in Vienna, has described the Israeli-American aggression on Iran’s nuclear facilities as an assault to the entire nonproliferation regime.

“Never before in the history of the Agency had we seen a massive, long-lasting, premeditated targeted military attacks against nuclear facilities under the I.A.E.A. safeguards with an openly stated goal of their complete destruction,” Ustinov told IRNA.

“This is what’s happening now, and this is an assault to the entire nonproliferation regime. So it’s only fair that the Board met upon D.G.’s initiative,” he added.

“We witness a consistent growing call from a considerable number of members of the I.A.E.A. Board of Governors for the Board to act collectively to counter this unprecedented challenge,” he stated.

This is while, many other members of the Board are absolutely unwilling to have the Board take decisions.

Ustinov urged the Board to demonstrate that it is able to address this situation properly and discharge its duties in accordance with its mandate.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he criticized Western countries’ positions on the recent aggression against Iran and said, “Targeting nuclear facilities under safeguards is a clear violation of the U.N. Charter, international law, the I.A.E.A. Statute.”

The U.S. attacked Iranian nuclear centers in support of Israel. The Israeli regime attacked Iran, including residential buildings in Tehran, in an unprovoked act of aggression overnight on June 13. Top Iranian military officials were assassinated in targeted strikes. Civilians died when houses were directly struck.

According to Iran’s Health Ministry, the Israeli regime killed 606 Iranians and wounded 1,342 others in the 12-day war imposed on Iran. Most of the victims were civilians, including many children.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Ferial Mostofi, head of the commission, opened the session by highlighting the critical need to resolve financial transfer challenges faced by Iranian traders. She noted that VTB Bank, Russia’s second-largest financial institution, has initiated cooperation with Iranian banks and established a representative office in Iran. This partnership has already facilitated services, including the issuance of a letter of credit (LC), marking a breakthrough for Iranian businesses long isolated from global banking networks. “Access to these services enhances transparency and reduces commercial risks for traders,” Mostofi stated, emphasizing the potential for greater financial stability.

Mohammadreza Rajaei, VTB Bank’s official representative in Iran, provided context on the bank’s operations, which began laying groundwork in Iran three years ago. He underscored Russia’s economic significance, with annual trade volumes of $700–800 billion, contrasted by the relatively modest $3 billion trade between Iran and Russia. “Iran has yet to secure a prominent position in Russia’s economic dealings,” Rajaei remarked, advocating for stronger banking infrastructure to elevate bilateral trade. He revealed that VTB has established correspondent relationships with 12 Iranian banks, enabling services through these local partners. Rajaei also hinted at plans to open a full branch in Iran next year, a move that could further streamline financial operations.

VTB’s services are designed to operate through Iranian banks, ensuring that transactions remain rial-based for local businesses, shielding them from the complexities of foreign currency transfers. Rajaei explained that the availability of services depends on financial resources and active correspondent relationships, with mechanisms already in place to support trade settlements between the two nations. With assets valued at $260 billion, VTB’s scale rivals the combined asset value of all Iranian banks, positioning it as a robust partner for Iran’s financial ecosystem.

Andrei Konstantin, a VTB project manager, elaborated on the bank’s global footprint, boasting $439 billion in financial assets, 1,600 branches across Russia, and a customer base of 24 million. Despite some branches being inactive due to sanctions, VTB maintains an extensive network in CIS countries and is eager to deepen ties with Iranian firms. Konstantin confirmed the bank’s commitment to opening its first Iranian branch in 2026, a development anticipated to bolster economic cooperation.

Representatives from Iranian banks, including Bank Saderat, Bank Melli, and Bank Middle East, outlined their roles in facilitating VTB’s services. Samad Ahangar, deputy international affairs officer at Bank Saderat, noted that businesses in Russia or Iran could secure bank guarantees through VTB and his bank, with LC issuance also feasible. Tania Yaghmaei from Bank Middle East added that the Central Bank of Iran would soon allocate funds to support VTB-related operations, enabling LC issuance upon currency allocation approval. Mehdi Azizi of Bank Melli highlighted the banks’ presence in Armenia as an additional avenue for supporting traders, offering services like guarantees and remittances.”VTB Bank’s Services ”

The session also addressed challenges in Iran-Russia trade. Ali Reza Kiani, deputy head of the commission, pointed out that Turkey’s trade with Russia is 20–25 times larger than Iran’s, and even Armenia’s trade surpasses Iran’s by fourfold. He criticized the inefficiencies of funds held by trustee companies, which lack productive use, and proposed redirecting even a fraction of these resources to VTB to expedite financial transfers. Kiani noted that deposits with VTB could yield 13–14% returns, offering a financial incentive.”VTB Bank’s Services ”

Concerns about service costs were raised by Roshanali Yekta, vice president of the Iran-Russia Joint Chamber, who highlighted that small and medium-sized enterprises, which drive over 60% of Iran-Russia trade, operate on razor-thin margins. High service fees could render VTB’s offerings inaccessible, he warned. Rajaei acknowledged that negotiations on fee structures are ongoing, with the collaboration still in its early stages.

The session concluded with a resolution for the commission to draft a comprehensive proposal on VTB cooperation, to be submitted to relevant authorities. Stakeholders, including Amirabbas Mahdavimehr of Persian Gulf Industry Trade Holding, expressed readiness to support infrastructure development for VTB’s Iranian branch, underscoring the potential for enhanced trade facilitated by VTB’s ties with Chinese banks.

This partnership marks a cautious but promising step for Iran’s reintegration into global finance, offering businesses new tools to navigate international trade with greater ease and security.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) confirmed the report but did not specify whether the terrorists had been killed in Russian airstrikes or in joint operations of the armies of Syria and Russia.

A few days ago, Russia declared that 900 terrorist elements had been killed in strikes on their positions in Syria.

Supported by certain states and followed by the arrival of fresh foreign mercenaries, terrorist groups launched a large-scale assault on Syrian army positions in the northwest, west, and southwest of Aleppo early Wednesday.

The terrorist activities violated a ceasefire agreement reached in Astana in 2020  and guaranteed by Turkiye. It created de-escalation zones in Idlib, on the outskirts of Aleppo, and parts of Hama and Latakia.

De-escalation zones were included in a 2017 agreement between Iran, Russia, and Turkiye as guarantors of the Astana peace process. Three of these areas came under the control of the Syrian army in 2018, but the fourth area, which includes the Idlib Governorate in northwestern Syria and parts of Latakia, Hama, and Aleppo governorates, still remains under the control of terrorist groups.

A few days ago, Russia declared that 900 terrorist elements had been killed in strikes on their positions in Syria.

Supported by certain states and followed by the arrival of fresh foreign mercenaries, terrorist groups launched a large-scale assault on Syrian army positions in the northwest, west, and southwest of Aleppo early Wednesday.

The terrorist activities violated a ceasefire agreement reached in Astana in 2020  and guaranteed by Turkiye. It created de-escalation zones in Idlib, on the outskirts of Aleppo, and parts of Hama and Latakia.

De-escalation zones were included in a 2017 agreement between Iran, Russia, and Turkiye as guarantors of the Astana peace process. Three of these areas came under the control of the Syrian army in 2018, but the fourth area, which includes the Idlib Governorate in northwestern Syria and parts of Latakia, Hama, and Aleppo governorates, still remains under the control of terrorist groups.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) The Iran section of the Cosmoscow 2024 exhibition consists of 59 paintings and nine art objects by 50 Iranian artists in five pavilions.

These exhibitions will showcase Iranian artworks until October 27.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) The joint exhibition titled “Patterns of Friendship”, showcases the works of 200 painters from Iran and Russia and was organized by the cultural consultation of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Russian Federation at the Catherine Palace in St. Petersburg.Iran’s cultural attaché to Russia Masoud Ahmadvand said on the side line of the event that approximately 100 works on various topics from Iran were created by Russian artists, and 100 works on Russia were created by Iranian artists specifically for this event.

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“In order to participate in joint Russian-Indian multi-service exercise, Indra, the Russian side plans to send over 40 aircraft of various types, including 15 fighter jets, about 20 military-transport aircraft and more than five army aviation helicopters to the Republic of India,” the Russian Eastern Military District’s press service said on Tuesday.

Russian aircraft will provide aerial support to ground troops and navy forces during the exercise, Tass reported.

The Russian naval group will include two warships, a sea tanker, a helicopter and two or three motor boats.

The Indra-2019 maneuvers will take place at overland and sea ranges as well as at one of the military airfields of the Indian Armed Forces. About 300 servicemen of the Eastern Military District will participate in the drills from the Russian side. The Indra-2018 exercise took place at Babina army range in the State of Uttar Pradesh (India) engaging a total of 500 servicemen.

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“I do not influence prices,” Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told reporters as OPEC and non-OPEC energy ministers gathered in Algiers for a meeting that ended with no formal recommendation for any additional supply boost.

Benchmark Brent oil LCOc1 reached $80 a barrel this month, prompting Trump to reiterate on Thursday his demand that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries lower prices.

The price rally mainly stemmed from a decline in oil exports from OPEC member Iran due to fresh U.S. sanctions.

“We protect the countries of the Middle East, they would not be safe for very long without us, and yet they continue to push for higher and higher oil prices! We will remember. The OPEC monopoly must get prices down now!” Trump wrote on Twitter.

Falih said Saudi Arabia had spare capacity to increase oil output but no such move was needed at the moment.

“My information is that the markets are adequately supplied. I don’t know of any refiner in the world who is looking for oil and is not able to get it,” Falih said.

However, he signaled Saudi Arabia stood ready to increase supply if Iran’s output fell: “Whatever takes place between now and the end of the year in terms of supply changes will be addressed.”

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said no immediate output increase was necessary, although he believed a trade war between China and the United States as well as U.S. sanctions on Iran were creating new challenges for oil markets.

Oman’s Oil Minister Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Rumhy and Kuwaiti counterpart Bakhit al-Rashidi told reporters after Sunday’s talks that producers had agreed they needed to focus on reaching 100 percent compliance with production cuts agreed in June.

That effectively means compensating for falling Iranian production. Al-Rumhy said the exact mechanism for doing so had not been discussed.

The statement from Trump, meanwhile, was not his first criticism of OPEC.

Higher gasoline prices for U.S. consumers could create a political headache for Republican Trump before mid-term congressional elections in November.

Iran, OPEC’s third-largest producer, has accused Trump of orchestrating the oil price rally by imposing sanctions on Tehran and accused its regional arch-rival Saudi Arabia of bowing to U.S. pressure.

On Sunday, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said Trump’s tweet “was the biggest insult to Washington’s allies in the Middle East”.

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