A foreign policy adviser to the Leader of Islamic Revolution said Iran and Russia are committed to consolidate "strategic mutual, regional cooperation".
Speaking in a press conference at the Iranian Embassy in Moscow on Thursday to wrap up his four-day visit to Russia, Ali Akbar Velayati said mutual interests of the two countries have resulted in common stands regarding many regional and international issues and prepared the ground for expansion of relations, IRNA reported.
On international coordination, the senior advisor said an "expansionist" foreign policy of the US and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's pivot to the East have made it necessary for eastern countries, especially Iran, Russia and China, to engage in collective efforts to ensure a better future.
In a separate meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, mutual ties and regional coordination were discussed.
Velayati said that while Iran and Russia are taking strides to forge strategic bonds, the irreversible trend of growing interaction would help promote stability in the region and international arena.
The Russian president welcomed the development of relations, stressing the need for taking advantage of all capacities to further boost ties.
They also discussed Iran's potential membership in Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as the two major members, Russia and China, have recently welcomed the idea.
SCO is a Eurasian political, economic and military alliance comprising Russia, China and four Central Asian republics. Iran, along with five other states, has observer status in the organization.
Velayati, who is also the head of Strategic Research Center of Expediency Council, arrived in Moscow early Monday for an official visit to discuss political and security relations, in addition to regional cooperation, with high-ranking Russian officials.
During his stay, the senior official met Russia's Special Envoy on Syria Alexander Lavrentiev, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, Russian presidential aide Yurt Ushakov, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev and the head of Foreign Affairs Committee in the Russian Duma Alexey Pushkov.
Velayati was visiting Moscow following the first trip by Putin to Tehran in eight years, which was of top importance. The visit last November came into the spotlight when the Russian leader skipped formal trappings to head straight to a meeting with the Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei after his arrival in Tehran.
