Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who has traveled to Moscow at the head of a diplomatic delegation to consult with high-ranking Russian officials and deliver a written message from the leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution to the Russian president, met and held talks with top Russian diplomat Sergei Lavrov at noon on Friday.   During the meeting, the foreign ministers of Iran and Russia discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments, including those in West Asia, the situation in occupied Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Afghanistan, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus, and Ukraine as well as the process of indirect talks between Iran and the US.   Araghchi and Lavrov spoke about the importance of signing a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia as the most significant manifestation of cooperation between the two countries. They stressed that the treaty paves the way for further expanding strategic interactions and cooperation between Tehran and Moscow in various political, economic-commercial, tourism, scientific and educational, academic, cultural and media areas as well as popular relations. The two top diplomats said after approval in parliaments of both countries, the treaty’s implementation should be seriously pursued.   Araghchi and Lavrov welcomed the increase in trade exchanges between the two countries in the past year and underlined the need to identify the vast unused capacities in Iran and Russia and to make use of those possibilities.   The Iranian foreign minister underscored the Islamic Republic of Iran’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations in line with mutual interests.   Araghchi also outlined the principled position of Iran regarding developments in Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Afghanistan. He said that the Islamic Republic of Iran closely monitors developments in the region and insists on its principled stance regarding the necessity of establishing lasting peace and stability and preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of regional countries free from destructive foreign interventions in order to ensure that terrorist groups do not exploit the current situation and that the Zionist regime does not engage in occupation and acts of aggression.   Araghchi pointed to the indirect negotiations between Iran and the US and underlined the importance of consultation and coordination with Russia. He added that Russia, as a member of the UN Security Council and a strategic partner of Iran, can be helpful in the process, and that Iran and Russia will continue consultations in this respect. The Russian foreign minister for his part described the good relations between Russia and Iran as serving the mutual interests of both nations. Lavrov stressed the importance of the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty as a basis for expanding bilateral relations in various political, economic, commercial, transportation, energy, cultural, and tourism areas.   The Russian foreign minister spoke about efforts to boost bilateral relations to a strategic level, saying the imminent implementation of the free trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union in the coming days and the cooperation of Tehran and Moscow in other multilateral organizations such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization pave the ground for further expanding bilateral ties. Lavrov underscored the need to accelerate the implementation of cooperation projects including the Rasht-Astara railway project as well as cooperation in energy and transportation fields and the North-South corridor.     The top Russian diplomat outlined Russia’s stance on the situation in occupied Palestine and said Moscow opposes any plan involving the forced displacement of the Palestinian people. Lavrov further warned about the escalation of the security situation in the region due to ongoing violations of international law.   He thanked Iran for its responsible approach regarding the nuclear issue. Lavrov welcomed the indirect Iran-US talks and described Tehran’s focus on lifting illegal US sanctions and on the nuclear issue as logical. He said Russia is ready to provide any assistance in the process.