Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Iranians on the arrival of the Persian New Year as well as the holy month of Ramadan.
The Kremlin said in a statement that Putin congratulated the Iranian people on Nowruz in a phone conversation with President Ebrahim Raeisi of Iran on Tuesday while conveying his best wishes to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
The two presidents discussed bilateral cooperation, including the expansion of economic relations and major investment projects.
Putin pointed to the finalization of the draft comprehensive cooperation agreement between Iran and Russia.
"The successful holding of the meeting of the joint commission for economic cooperation between the two countries in Tehran, as well as the 77% growth in goods trade between Iran and Russia are positive signs of the improvement in Tehran-Moscow cooperation," he said.
Putin also said Iran and Russia's presence in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS is a valuable opportunity to deepen the interactions between the two sides.
The two presidents further discussed the critical situation in the Gaza Strip amid Israel’s ongoing hostilities, expressing concern over the increase in the number of victims.
"The two countries have adopted similar stances on the issue of Israel's attacks on Gaza," the Russian President said, adding that Moscow is ready to cooperate more effectively with Tehran when it comes to Palestine.
Raeisi, for his part, once again offered congratulations to Putin on his re-election, expressing hope that the new Russian government will lay a suitable groundwork for expansion of relations and constructive cooperation between the two nations in various fields.
He hailed the agreements made between the two sides, including the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway, as “suitable groundwork” for strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly for the promotion of economic and commercial relations between the two countries.
Raeisi underscored the need for effective international action to stop the Israeli regime's criminal attacks on Gaza, as well as lifting the blockade and providing humanitarian aid to the people of the besieged territory.