Sergei Tsililov spoke Friday at a restricted meeting of the 18th Iran-Russia Joint Economic Commission in Moscow, welcoming the Iranian delegation. “It is an honor to host you and the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.

Noting the large Iranian delegation, which included over 60 participants, he added, “This strong turnout is another sign of the depth of bilateral dialogue and mutual commitment to expanding comprehensive cooperation.”

The Russian energy minister also pointed to positive trends in bilateral economic collaboration, stating, “The close nature of our trade partnership is evident, with trade volume reaching $4.8 billion in 2024—a 16.2% increase.”

Tsililov emphasized the joint commission’s role in advancing cooperation, saying, “Today, stable working relations exist between relevant institutions in both countries, with 17 joint working groups operating regularly.”

He noted that expert-level talks with the Iranian delegation began two days prior, adding, “The sides discussed joint projects and new areas for cooperation during these meetings.”