Kremlin confirms continued preparations for Iranian president's visit to Russia

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkin's visit to Russia is still being worked out; there are no clear deadlines at the moment. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on December 3.

"At the moment there is no clear understanding that such a visit will take place before the end of the year. It is not on the schedule now. If necessary, such contacts can be very quickly agreed upon. But such a visit is being prepared, preparations are being made for it," he said.

At the same time, Peskov confirmed that Moscow and Tehran do not intend to delay the signing of a strategic partnership agreement.

Peseshkian's visit to Russia is not expected before the end of the year, although it can be quickly coordinated if necessary, Peskov said. Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart on the same day. They discussed the worsening situation in Syria and the development of partnership between Moscow and Tehran.

Earlier, on November 24, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said that the comprehensive treaty between Russia and Iran will meet the challenges and requirements of modernity. According to him, the document will cover almost all areas of Russian-Iranian cooperation, including defense and security.

Putin and Pezeshkian met at the BRICS summit in Kazan in late October. The Russian leader said at the time that ties between the two countries were on the rise and were friendly, and that the first trip to Russia by the Islamic Republic's president since he took office was symbolic in nature. At their previous meeting in the same month, Putin said he was also expecting Pezeshkian to pay an official visit to Russia.