Senior Iranian Diplomat Holds Key Talks in Moscow

MOSCOW (KI) -- Deputy foreign ministers of Iran and Russia have held talks in Moscow about the Caucasus region, giving primacy to the meeting of the 3+3 cooperation format in Tehran, aimed at bolstering Caucasus peace and stability without foreign interference.

Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani and his Russian counterpart Mikhail Galuzin on Thursday met and discussed a wide range of issues about relations of cooperation between Iran and Russia.
Both sides also reviewed the latest developments in the South Caucasus, placing a premium on holding the 3+3 cooperation format. They also underscored the continuation of collective efforts within that framework.
The 3+3 consultative platform, comprising the three South Caucasus countries of Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan plus Russia, Turkey, and Iran, was established in an attempt to settle regional issues without foreign interference.
The first 3+3 meeting was held in Moscow in December 2021 at the level of deputy foreign ministers and without the presence of Georgia.
The second was held in Tehran on October 23 with the participation of the foreign ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia and Turkey.
Bagheri Kani also met with Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister in North and South American countries and cooperation with BRICS countries and international security.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that a Hamas delegation was in Moscow for talks. According to TASS, citing Russia’s Foreign Ministry, the delegation was to discuss the release of foreign hostages, including Russian citizens, Hamas is currently holding in the Gaza Strip.