Visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Tuesday, October 16.
Speaking at the meeting, which was also attended by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Leader described the various resources of the two countries as an appropriate groundwork for the expansion of bilateral relations.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the emphasis placed by President Putin on the Moscow's firm intention to expand relations with Tehran in a wide-scale and unlimited manner.
"We also welcome the expansion of bilateral relations and consider it to be in the interests of both countries and nations," the Leader told the Russian president.
Ayatollah Khamenei also expressed dissatisfaction with the present economic relations between the two countries and stated that the expansion of these relations would serve the interests of both countries. He pointed out that just as an independent Iran is to Russia's advantage, so a powerful Russia is advantageous to Iran.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic referred to the intrinsic grandeur and strength of any nation as the genuine power of that nation.
"The Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic have opted for the logic of persevering in defending national interests, since we are sure that the covetousness of the enemies of our nation has no end and no limit at all. Therefore, the Iranian nation and government, while avoiding adventurism or providing pretexts for the enemies, will continue to act based on this prudent and judicious logic," the Leader remarked.
Touching on the extreme covetousness of the United States, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that U.S. politicians are opposed to any country and nation that acts independently and counters their illegitimate interests. "But it is not possible to overcome nations through such a covetous attitude," he added.
The Leader also pointed to the continuity of U.S. threats against Iran throughout the period after the victory of the Islamic Revolution.
"The United States has left no stone unturned in order to deal a blow to the Iranian nation, but its adventurism has backfired, and the American politicians are presently witnessing the failure of their attempts," Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic stressed that Iran is ready to take all confidence-building measures.
"Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency is a sensible and appropriate action which will continue, and we are determined to meet our country's need for nuclear energy. This is the reason why we are taking the enrichment issue seriously," Ayatollah Khamenei observed.
The Leader also touched on the idea of establishing an organization similar to OPEC for cooperation and coordination among gas exporting countries and referred to the positive negotiations of the Russian president in Iran. He expressed hope that the results of these negotiations would be conducive to the bright future of the relations between the two countries.
In conclusion, Ayatollah Khamenei told Russian President Vladimir Putin that his remarks and proposal would receive due consideration.
President Putin, speaking at the meeting, described his wide-ranging negotiations with the president of the Islamic Republic as serious and very positive. He said that in the course of the intensive negotiations in Tehran, several topics such as raising the level of bilateral relations and expanding mutual cooperation, especially in the energy and transportation and aerospace sectors, in a serious and wide-scale and unlimited manner were discussed, and that the two sides now see very bright prospects for bilateral relations.
President Putin further noted that the interests of the Russian nation lie in the presence of a powerful and influential Iran in the international arena, and that there is no limit to Moscow's cooperation with Tehran. He emphasized that Russia would undoubtedly take this path at present and in the future.
"Russia has respect for Iran's position on the nuclear issue and holds the view that Iran has a right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Besides, it is opposed to any kind of imposition on Iran," the Russian president stated at the meeting.
President Putin also welcomed Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and pointed out that Moscow supports this initiative of the Islamic Republic of Iran.