Russia and Iran have signed a declaration that will help overcome US sanctions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told TASS state news agency.
"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," he said when opening talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
What are Sanctions:
Sanctions are penalties imposed by one country on another, to stop them acting aggressively or breaking international law.
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The goals of sanctions are to change the behavior of a country, limit its options, or make it weaker. It's also a way to publicly call out countries that are seen as a threat to global peace and security.
Sanctions on Iran:
Since 2018, Iran has been facing a lot of sanctions from the US. This happened after then-President Donald Trump backed out of a deal where Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program, and, in return, the international sanctions on its economy would be lifted. Despite many talks, the deal hasn't been restored. The relationship between the US and Iran got worse due to anti-government protests in Iran and claims that Iran gave drones to Russia, which Russia used in Ukraine.
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Sanctions on Russia:
Western nations, led by the US and the European Union, put a lot of sanctions on Russia after it invaded Ukraine. These sanctions targeted Russian banks, President Vladimir Putin, and others to hold Russia responsible for the conflict. The United States on December 5, imposed fresh Russia-related sanctions on Tuesday, targeting a defence procurement network consisting of people and entities in Belgium, Sweden and Hong Kong, among other places, as Washington cracks down on Moscow's evasion of Western sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine.
Russia-Iran Relations:
Experts say, Russia and Iran have formed a partnership of convenience against Western powers for decades. Despite some distrust, the bond between them has deepened. Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, during his visit to Tehran in September, said that the friendship between Russia and Iran has reached a new level despite opposition from much of the Western world.
The Kremlin on Tuesday said that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will meet Vladimir Putin in Russia on Thursday as the two nations fortify their military and commercial connections in the face of Western sanctions.
