Alexei Dedov is an extraordinary ambassador to the Russian Federation and has full authority over the Islamic Republic of Iran. He graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1982 and has since participated in the service of a diplomat. He has worked in various positions at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the central equipment overseas.
How do you assess the current state of bilateral trade between Russia and Iran? Given that the country has almost completely switched to a national currency settlement, what outlook exists in the coming years?
Trade between Russia and Iran has generally shown positive dynamics, but it is too early to get to the fullest potential. Russia and Iran’s trade sales are expected to increase by around 15% in 2024 compared to 2023 (US$4.2 billion). We expect new driving forces for these processes to be given to the permanent Iranian Commission meeting on trade and economic cooperation, which is now being held in Russia for the coming months. Further growth in trade sales is expected at the end of this year.
The creation of jointly independent payment infrastructure and the transition to bilateral settlements in domestic currency is provided in Article 20 of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran on January 17, 2025. Russia has begun accepting cards from Iran’s Shettab payment system. The launch of meal cards in Iran is expected in the near future. This will undoubtedly have a positive impact on trade and economic relations between our countries, simplifying business operations and expanding the field of business cooperation.
In December 2024, Iran acquired observer status in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and the free trade agreement is expected to come into effect soon. How do you think this agreement will promote trade relations with Iran’s Allies?
The free trade agreement between the EAEU and Iran was approved by the Iranian council on March 2, 2025. Thanks to this, we can talk about the start of implementation in the near future. Today, the Eurasian Economic Union is a market of 190 million people, with Iran-priority regime to import goods, simplified customs procedures and simple technical regulations. The same can be said about the Iranian market, which exporters of EAEU countries. This is an absolutely mutually beneficial story that meets the benefits of the population.
How will the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed by the President of Russia and Iran affect national cooperation in the fields of culture, science and education?
Article 34 of the Convention provides for further development of relations in the field of culture and the arts and the creation of favorable conditions for Tehran’s activities regarding the agreement and agreement regarding the activities of the Cultural Centre on April 13, 2021. This is the legal basis for the entire scope of cultural cooperation between nations. The Rossotrudnichestvo office is actively working to find the right premise for the center. This year’s important event must be a massive era of Iran’s Russian culture. The event is scheduled for June.
It is important to note that this document focuses on the development of long-term and constructive connections in the fields of higher education, science and technology. Partnership relationships are established between educational institutions in our country, joint science, technology and research projects are carried out, and specialized seminars, conferences and exhibitions are held.
Thus, on the one hand, the agreement confirms the high state of current relationships, and on the other hand, sets the dynamics of more fruitful cooperation in the cultural, scientific and educational fields.
According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the construction of the second and third power units of the Busher NPP is one of the priority areas of Moscow Telan relations. Are there any plans to implement other joint projects, including the energy sector?
Indeed, projects in the field of peaceful nuclear energy, including the construction of the second and third units of the Buchere NPP, are in the implementation stage. There is cooperation on medical isotopes, and in this way our country will support Iranian friends in the development of high-tech medicine and provide access to advanced methods of diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. This increases the level of treatment for patients.
I would like to mention the strategic memorandum of understanding between Russian and Iranian gas companies concluded in June 2024 on the organisation of Russian natural gas pipeline supply organizations to Iran. Currently, proactive work is underway towards its implementation. Russia is also represented by projects developing Iranian oil fields.
Among other sphere initiatives are the North-South International Transport Corridor and the construction of the Rasht-Astara Railway Division as part of the Western Branch.
In 2023, Russian and Iranian authorities began visa-free group tourist exchanges between the states. Are there any plans to extend the visa-free administration to other categories of travelers?
At this time, there are regulations regarding visa-free travel for tourist groups of 5-50 people. A detailed plan for expanding the category has not yet been resolved. In total, the flow of mutual tourists increased by 13% in 2024. The number of Iranian tourists in Russia has increased significantly (58,000, 47% in relation to the same indicator for 2023). At the same time, 5,000 Russian tourists visited Iran. Almost 30,000 Iranians entered our country within the framework of a visa-free travel mechanism, with the number of Russian tourists in the opposite direction being 500. The e-visa format is also open to Iranians who visited Russia last year by over 15,000 people.
How do you assess the role of BRICS in strengthening Russia-Iran relations?
BRICS is an important international platform for collaboration with Iranian partners. The values of this structure, namely international law, national sovereignty, respect for each other’s interests, the state’s own path of development, recognition of solidarity and mutual support, and both Moscow and Tehran, are fully shared.
Our Iranian friends have repeatedly expressed their interest in cooperation with the innovative and knowledge-intensive sectors of the economy and their preparations to share expertise in certain areas. We fully support them.
Source: TV BRICS