TEHRAN – Iranian President Masudo Pezeshkian said his visit to Belarus marked a “turning point” in bilateral relations and emphasized that Tehran has not seen restrictions on strengthening cooperation with Minsk in political, economic and cultural fields.
At a joint press conference with President Alexander Lukashenko on Wednesday, Pezeshkian praised Belarus as a “trusted partner in the strategic Eurasian region” and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to fully implementing the roadmap for cooperation between 2023-2026.
“Currently, our relationship with Belarus is being pursued at the highest level. This trip is a milestone in our bond, and the results will soon be visible with the growing trend of cooperation,” Pezeschkian said. “More than ever today, we need cooperation to overcome one-sided things and their destructive consequences.”
Iran and Belarus sign 12 cooperative documents
During the visit, Iran and Belarus signed 12 cooperative documents and one joint statement in the presence of two presidents. The agreement covers politics, international law, tourism, arts, media, health, medicine, industry, environment, freedom zones, special economic and industrial zones and investments.
Pezeschkian said the recent meeting of the Joint Economic Committee in Minsk, along with the new agreement, will help deepen “mutually beneficial cooperation.” He highlighted areas such as customs adjustment, co-investment, trade and transport, resolution of private sector obstacles, and securing important goods.
He also emphasized the bond between people and people. “In the field of media and cultural exchange, we are more effective in cooperation, to present accurate images of both countries and to promote mutual understanding of history, culture and capabilities,” he said.
The Iranian president thanked Belarus for condemning recent attacks by Israel and the US on Iran’s territory and peaceful nuclear facilities. Calling the strike a “blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter,” Pezeshkian said Iran will continue to respond decisively to aggression.
“The Islamic Republic has never started a war or an attack, but if it is attacked, our response is decisive and deterrent,” he said.
On June 13, Israel launched a wave of air strikes on Iran’s military, nuclear and security infrastructure. The war lasted for 12 days, killing at least 1,065 Iranians. This died primarily along with civilians, senior commanders and nuclear scientists. The United States has openly supported the Zionist regime from the start, and entered the war directly on June 22nd by surprise three nuclear sites that Israel had already targeted.
Iran responded with Operation True Promise III and launched 22 coordinated missile and drone attacks that devastated Israeli forces, intelligence, security and economic sites throughout the occupying territories. Analysts point out that Iran has caused serious damage but has deliberately refrained from deploying the most advanced and destructive weapons.
The June 24 ceasefire, launched at the request of both Washington and Tel Aviv, is described as a temporary suspension only.
Iran considers Pezeschkian, a strategic partnership agreement with Belarus
Both sides highlighted the importance of regional and multilateral cooperation, pointing to new structures such as the Eurasian Economic Union, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as platforms for increasing economic and political ties. Pezeschkian congratulated Belarus on his arrival in BRICS, saying Iran is ready to share the experience of resisting sanctions with “friends and partners.”
He added that Iran will consider a strategic partnership model with Belarus, similar to its treaty with Russia.
Later, at a meeting between the senior delegations, Pezeshkian again thanked Lukashenko for his recent remarks at the Eurasian Economic Union Summit, where he compared the Chernobyl disaster with the risks posed by an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragut said trade between Tehran and Minsk rose 14% last year, prompting the removal of visa requirements and drafting a joint strategic document to enhance relations.
Reza Salehi Amiri, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Crafts in Iran, also highlighted tourism opportunities and proposed improving direct flights and visa exemptions in both directions.
Pezeschkian has closed, emphasizing that current volumes of trade between Iran and Belarus are “negligible compared to capacity,” and pledged to personally oversee the implementation of the new agreement.
Pezeskian arrived in Belarus’ capital on Wednesday after visiting Armenia. His two-day state visit focuses on strengthening political, economic and cultural relations.