Mostafa Barzegar, regarding the conclusion of the expert committee meetings of the 18th Iran-Russia Joint Economic Cooperation Commission, stated that the outlook for Iran-Russia collaboration is clear and expanding. He noted progress in banking, including the establishment of interbank messaging systems and the connection of Iran’s Shetab and Russia’s Mir payment networks.

“Expanding banking relations will facilitate trade between Iran and Russia,” he said.

 Iran-Russia scientific cooperation in gene therapy 

Barzegar announced the finalization of agreements under the 18th Iran-Russia Economic Cooperation Commission, to be signed by Iran’s oil minister and Russia’s energy minister as co-chairs. He highlighted a cooperation contract between Tehran University of Medical Sciences’ Pediatric Cell and Gene Therapy Research Center and Russia’s Federal State Budgetary Institution, National Medical Research Center for Hematology.

 Increased participation in Iranian oil field development 

Barzegar said that during oil and gas working group talks, Russia proposed additional clauses to expand cooperation, particularly in upstream operations and oil field development. Iran welcomed the proposals, and both sides agreed to begin contract negotiations.

 Resolving electrical challenges between Iran, Russia 

He noted that both sides agreed to resolve existing electrical sector challenges, with high-level officials supporting the operational launch of the Sirk Thermal Power Plant. Efforts to advance relations under the roadmap signed during the 17th commission were also discussed.

 Meetings conclude in Moscow 

The expert meetings of the 18th Iran-Russia Joint Economic Cooperation Commission, which began Wednesday morning at the Russian Energy Agency in Moscow, concluded Thursday afternoon.

The final session for signing cooperation documents will be held Friday at Moscow’s President Hotel, attended by Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and Russia’s Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev.

Paknejad arrived in Moscow on Thursday morning for the 18th commission meeting and held separate talks with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and Energy Minister Tsivilev.

The 18th commission meeting follows the signing of a comprehensive strategic treaty during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s official visit to Moscow in January 2025.

Recently approved by Russia’s State Duma and Federation Council, the treaty aims to strengthen economic, cultural, trade, defense, scientific and technological cooperation. The oil minister said it paves the way for expanded Tehran-Moscow relations.