Tehran Urges Moscow to Accelerate Efforts to Reduce Impact of Dollar

Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani meets with Russia's Presidential Aide Igor Levitin in Tehran, Iran, April 9, 2023. WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani meets with Russia's Presidential Aide Igor Levitin in Tehran, Iran, April 9, 2023. WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
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Tehran Urges Moscow to Accelerate Efforts to Reduce Impact of Dollar

Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani meets with Russia's Presidential Aide Igor Levitin in Tehran, Iran, April 9, 2023. WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani meets with Russia's Presidential Aide Igor Levitin in Tehran, Iran, April 9, 2023. WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani urged Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special assistant, Igor Levitin, to speed up the path of reducing the influence of the dollar in economic exchanges.

During a meeting with Levitin in Tehran, Shamkhani stated that “the path towards reducing the influence of the dollar in regional and international economic transactions, which has been joined by many countries, will lead to undermining the West's domination over the global economy to the lowest possible level.”

According to the official news agency IRNA, Shamkhani mentioned finalized initiatives between Russia and Iran regarding financial and banking exchanges with the aim of funding joint projects.

He described this as “an effective model in thwarting the West's illegal sanctions on both countries.”

The officials also discussed the application of agreements in various economic and banking fields, including the implementation of the North-South Transport Corridor project.

They also agreed on Russian investment in the remaining part of the road in northern Iran.

Shamkhani expressed Iran's satisfaction with the growing economic cooperation between Tehran and Moscow. He emphasized the need to activate mechanisms to accelerate the pace of implementing economic projects between the two countries.

During Levitin's visit to Iran last January, the two countries agreed that the remaining part of the North-South strategic corridor, in Iran’s northern Rasht-Astara route, will be built with the direct investment of Russia.

The North-South Transport Corridor is a network for moving freight between Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan and other countries in Asia and Europe.

In his meeting with Shamkhani, Levitin presented a report on the latest developments related to commercial, banking, and joint economic projects.

“Moscow is ready to implement joint plans and projects as soon as possible, especially in the field of transit and investments in various economic sectors in Iran, including steel, oil, and petrochemicals,” said Levitin.



Tehran Open to Negotiations with Washington ‘on Equal Footing’

Pezeshkian addresses diplomats from Islamic countries in Tehran on Saturday, in the presence of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (Iranian Presidency).
Pezeshkian addresses diplomats from Islamic countries in Tehran on Saturday, in the presence of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (Iranian Presidency).
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Tehran Open to Negotiations with Washington ‘on Equal Footing’

Pezeshkian addresses diplomats from Islamic countries in Tehran on Saturday, in the presence of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (Iranian Presidency).
Pezeshkian addresses diplomats from Islamic countries in Tehran on Saturday, in the presence of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (Iranian Presidency).

A day after US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to direct talks with Tehran, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Saturday that his country is ready for dialogue “on equal footing” with the United States.

Pezeshkian did not clarify whether this readiness implies acceptance of direct negotiations with the US administration. However, the statement appears to be a move to return the ball to Trump’s court, as the decision to engage in direct talks rests solely with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

While aboard Air Force One Thursday evening, Trump was asked by reporters whether he would agree to Iran’s proposal for indirect talks. He responded that he preferred direct negotiations.

Iran has expressed openness to dialogue but rejects direct talks under pressure or threat.

“If the other side wants to negotiate, why the threats?” Pezeshkian asked, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency. The Iranian president said: “Today, America is not just insulting Iran, but the world,” seemingly referencing Trump’s policies, including imposing tariffs on imported goods.

Western countries, led by the United States, have long accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons—allegations Tehran denies, insisting its nuclear activities are purely for civilian purposes.

Meanwhile, Commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hossein Salami, declared that Iran would not initiate a war but is fully prepared to confront any military threats from adversaries, according to the German Press Agency (DPA).

Speaking during a meeting with IRGC commanders, Salami said: “We will not retreat a single step in the face of the enemy. We are prepared for all military and psychological scenarios.”

On Monday, Ali Larijani, a senior adviser close to Supreme Leader Khamenei, warned that although Tehran is not pursuing nuclear weapons, “it will have no choice but to do so” if it comes under attack.