DUBAI (Reuters) – Iranian security chief Ali Shamkhani on Monday called for deeper ties with Russia in energy, transport, agriculture, trade and banking.
Shamkhani said after meeting with Russian Security Council head Nikolai Patrushev in Tehran.
The two also discussed measures to deal with the situation in Ukraine and “Western interference” in internal affairs, according to Russian state media.
“Iran welcomes and supports any initiative leading to a ceasefire and peace between Russia and Ukraine based on dialogue and is ready to play its part in ending the war,” Shamkhani added.
Kyiv and the West say Russia has used Iran’s Shahed-136 drones in a series of attacks in recent weeks targeting Ukraine’s power infrastructure. The attack prompted Ukraine to introduce rolling blackouts in major cities, including the capital, to maintain power.
Patrushev, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, also met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran.
Since invading Ukraine on February 24, Russia has accelerated efforts to build economic, trade and political ties with Iran and other non-Western countries.
Reported by Dubai Newsroom.Editing by John Boyle and Mark Heinrich
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