SCFR President Dr. Kamal Kharrazi, on a visit to Russia, met with Vitaliy Naumkin, head of the Oriental Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The two sides discussed the cooperation between the two countries and regional and international issues.

Dr. Kharrazi said at the meeting that US sanctions against Iran were not new. They were imposed since the beginning of the victory of the Islamic Revolution and have now been escalated.

“The United States thinks that with the escalation of sanctions, Iran will face trouble, but Iranians will not allow their country’s independence to be harmed and they defend their interests with high solidarity. The Iranians have shown this spirit many times over the past forty years, and this time they will come out of the sanctions honorably and Washington will not achieve its goal.”

Naumkin also said that Iran is a key partner of Russia, and Iran’s key role in stabilizing Syria is indisputable.

He said Astana talks on Syria played an important role in resolving the country’s crisis, and it needs to be continued.

Pointing out the US sanctions against Iran and Russia, Naumkin said: “American action is irresponsible and illegal and America’s attitude to international issues is a cause for concern.”