TEHRAN — The Islamic Republic and the Russian Federation moved in parallel to underscore their strategic partnership, with Iran's foreign minister holding talks in Moscow on Tuesday, while Russia's deputy prime minister was hosted by Iran's top national security official on Monday. 

In the synchronized diplomatic meetings, the two countries highlighted their determination to operationalize long-discussed economic and transit projects as Western sanctions continue to choke their economies.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi headed a diplomatic delegation in Moscow for talks with senior Russian officials, including his counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. According to the Islamic Republic News Agency, the visit focused on "bilateral relations and regional and international developments," including ongoing global crises and Iran's nuclear file.

Hours before Araghchi's arrival, Russia's Foreign Ministry struck a supportive tone in an official statement carried by Iranian outlets, emphasizing that cooperation between Tehran and Moscow is continuing despite international pressure. The ministry expressed defiance against Western sanctions, saying the two countries are steadily expanding cooperation, a phrase that has become a recurring theme of Russian messaging around ties with Iran.