ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq –  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that cooperation between Russia and Iran is strengthening in the face Western sanctions, asserting that both Moscow and Tehran share the same position regarding “America’s hegemonic policies.”

Araghchi arrived in Moscow on Tuesday for talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, and on the second day of his official visit, he addressed professors and students at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, known as MGIMO.

In September, Iran and Russia agreed to maximize "economic and defense cooperation" as both nations contend with severe Western sanctions.

“We can share our experiences in dealing with sanctions with Russia,” Araghchi said, as cited by the state-owned IRNA news agency. 

“Numerous initiatives and projects are being implemented between Iran and Russia on how to combat these sanctions and pursue cooperation in areas such as the oil sector and gas transmission,” said the Iranian top diplomat. “Iranians have a PhD in circumventing US sanctions.”

Describing Tehran and Moscow’s views on international challenges, Araghchi said the two countries share similar positions, adding that “our positions are the same when it comes to America’s hegemonic policies.”

He accused Washington of targeting “any part of the world, assassinating or sanctioning” countries that do not act in US interests.

Araghchi highlighted the strengthening ties between Tehran and Moscow, including in the “political sphere,” adding, “One of the important pillars of cooperation between Iran and Russia is to support each other against American hegemony and bullying.” 

Iran and Russia have both faced heavy sanctions from Western countries in recent years.

Iran has been accused of providing support to Russia in its war in Ukraine, particularly by supplying Moscow with armed drones for use on the frontlines.

Araghchi and Lavrov signed a cooperation document on Wednesday between the two countries’ foreign ministries, outlining a program of consultations from 2026 to 2028.

Israel killed top brass Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists with airstrikes in June, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran, with the two trading salvos of missiles and drones for 12 days. The US also bombed the key Natanz and Fordow nuclear sites in the country near the end of the conflict.

The war erupted while Iran was engaged in nuclear negotiations with the US, leading to stalled dialogue between Tehran and Washington, followed by a series of international sanctions on Tehran for failing to meet its nuclear obligations.

Russia has been a key ally, condemning the attacks and taking initiatives against international sanctions on Iran.

On September 10, Russia’s envoy to the IAEA, Mikhail Ulyanov, accused the US and Israel of violating international law with June strikes on Iran’s safeguarded nuclear sites, saying the attacks undermined the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and hampered Tehran’s cooperation with the nuclear watchdog.