I welcome Mr. Sergey Lavrov, the esteemed Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, and his accompanying delegation. We are pleased to host him in Tehran once again. • We had a very important and fruitful meeting today. Relations between Iran and Russia are strategic, and following the entry into force of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between the two presidents, our relations have taken on greater significance. • Today, we held extensive discussions on the most important regional and international issues, as well as matters of mutual interest in our bilateral relations. • In our bilateral relations, we examined practical ways to expand ties in the economic, trade, political and cultural fields. Fortunately, relations between the two countries are progressing well, and there are no serious obstacles to their expansion. We also hold regular political consultations with each other. • We also maintain close cooperation on regional issues. Today, we exchanged views on West Asia, the Persian Gulf, the Caucasus, Europe, Iran-US negotiations, issues related to Ukraine, and other matters. • Iran and Russia share the view that regional issues have no military solutions and must be pursued through diplomacy and political means. We also discussed Palestine, Lebanon and Yemen. The genocide in Palestine and the dangerous expansionism of the Zionist regime must be stopped. The insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz is a direct consequence of the US and Zionist regime's military aggression against Iran, which continues in various forms. • We have serious concerns about insecurity in the Caspian Sea, including attacks on Iranian and Russian vessels. We share common views on Afghanistan, reducing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, and countering terrorist threats. • We will continue our cooperation on international issues. We largely share common ground in opposing the United States' aggressive unilateralism.