Global pariahs Iran and Russia have signed a new deal to “counter” sanctions from the West in a meeting that the Russians said opened an “extensive agenda” against the US and Britain.
Russia’s long-serving Foreign Minister, and increasingly Putin’s attack dog, Sergey Lavrov greeted his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at a meeting in Moscow on Tuesday.
The pair were joined by a gaggle of leaders from the central Asian nations of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan who came together for the meeting of the “Caspian Five”, so called after the nations which all border the sea of the same name.
Sounding like the world’s worst boyband, the Caspian Five announced a slew of measures Russia hopes will show it is working with other nations against sanctions imposed by Western allies since the disastrous illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Iran has also suffered from sanctions but has been openly supplying Shahed drones and weapons to the Kremlin for the war in Ukraine.
Iran has also been accused of supporting Hamas terrorists in Israel.
According to Russian state news agency TASS, Sergey Lavrov said the two nations have signed a declaration that will help overcome US sanctions.
Speaking in Moscow Mr Lavrov said: “We have just signed a declaration on ways and means to counter, mitigate and offset the negative consequences of unilateral coercive measures.
“Undoubtedly, this is an important step in increasing coordinated efforts by members of the global community to overcome illegal sanctions, which the US and its allies use as a substitute for diplomacy.”
Mr Lavrov, who has been increasingly outspoken against Britain and the US in recent years, said Iran and his country “traditionally have an extensive agenda” against the West.
Vladimir Putin will host the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the Kremlin in Moscow on Thursday.
As well as supplying deadly drones to Russia for the war in Ukraine, there are also concerns Iran may start sending ballistic missiles, according to US intelligence.
In return Iranian Deputy Defence Minister Mahdi Farahi said last month his country had finalised arrangements for the delivery of Russian Su-35 fighter jets and Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters.
