A senior official says recent developments in the Middle East demand much closer cooperation between Iran and Russia.
Head of the Center for Strategic Research of the Expediency Council Ali Akbar Velayati made the remark in a meeting with Director of Russian Institute for Strategic Studies Leonid Reshetnikov in Tehran on Tuesday.
The advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution on international affairs said Tehran and Moscow have great mutual understanding, so increasing cooperation based on shared interests could prepare the ground for cementing a strategic alliance in the region, ISNA reported.
Pointing to the common views of the two countries with regard to conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon, Velayati said regional developments profoundly affect Iran and Russia.
Ongoing tensions in neighboring countries endanger Iran's security, so Tehran cannot be indifferent, he said.
"Putin's firm position on Syria is very helpful and of high strategic importance," Velayati said, referring to the growing Russian support for the Syrian government through providing advanced military equipment and intelligence cooperation.
Reshetnikov said Iran is Russia's main partner in the region; however, collaboration should not be limited to the region, adding that Moscow hopes for more collaboration with Iran at international level.
"Russian President [Vladimir Putin] officially announced the formation of an [anti-terror] coalition consisting of Iran, Russia, Iraq and Syria," he said, referring to Monday's speech by Putin to the UN General Assembly. "This is a major step toward strategic cooperation."
The Russian expert added, "Helping improve relations with Iran is our main duty and we will try to remove obstacles in the way of broadening ties."
