Russia reiterates respect for Iran’s territorial integrity

Russia has reiterated its full respect for Iran’s territorial integrity just days after a joint Russian-Arab forum in Morocco where the United Arab Emirates repeated its claims about three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said on Saturday that respect for Iran’s territorial integrity is a fundamental part of Russia’s foreign policy.

Bogdanov made the remarks in a meeting in Moscow with Iranian ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali, according to a report by the IRNA news agency.

During the meeting, Bogdanov briefed Jalali about the sixth Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum which was held on December 20 in Morocco.

The senior Russian diplomat said Russia is committed to its friendly relations with Iran and sees it necessary to avoid interfering in the domestic affairs of other countries.

The Iranian envoy also said in the meeting that Iran expects Russia to prevent any misuse of stances and positions that could benefit the enemies of growing relations between the two countries.

The meeting came after the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that a statement issued at the conclusion of the joint Russian-Arab forum in Morocco had reiterated the Arab country’s claim over three islands of Bu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb.

Iran has repeatedly rejected the UAE’s claims while reiterating that Tehran’s sovereignty over the islands are non-negotiable.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who led Moscow’s delegation to the Morocco forum, said in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian late on Friday that the forum’s final statement had considered Russia’s full respect for Iran’s territorial integrity.

SS