On Monday, the President of Iran and Belarus praised their close relations in discussions in Tehran, at a time both nations are sharply at chances with Western powers, including over Russia’s war in Ukraine. Belarus serves as a rear base for Russian troops, and Iran is accused of providing Moscow with armed drones for help in the invasion.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi lauded three decades of close links with Belarus after talks with his counterpart Alexander Lukashenko, who reached late Sunday for a two-day visit.
Thirty years after the start of relations the two countries have the will to strengthen cooperation.”
Raisi said.
Lukashenko said he had observed with great respect the perseverance with which the Iranian people resist external pressures, and attempts to impose the will of others on them. He added about Iran’s contested nuclear program which has sparked tough international sanctions against the country.
And I see that, despite everything, you are developing modern technologies and nuclear energy. We could be very helpful to each other if we really put our efforts together.”
Lukashenko added.
The two presidents, who did not cite the Ukraine war in their statements, signed a roadmap to promote political, economic, and cultural cooperation. Lukashenko is a partner of Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Tehran also keeps close ties with Russia even as it has highlighted a neutral diplomatic view in the Ukraine war.
The US has accused Iran of providing suicide drones to Russia and voiced warnings over a “dangerous” escalation in military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow. While Iran has denied supplying drones to Russia specifically for use in Ukraine. Iran has said it has concluded a contract to buy Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets.
Lukashenko recently made a three-day visit to China, where he voiced backing for China’s proposal to negotiate in efforts to end the Ukraine war.
Belarus has not sent soldiers to battle alongside the Russian army, but its territory has served as a rear base for troops from Moscow. Lukashenko‘s visit to Iran was the third by the Belarusian Prime Minister and the first in 17 years, according to state media.
