Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stresses that the expansion of relations between Iran and Russia in various domains can thwart the American and western sanctions, expansionist policies.

In a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow on Friday, Pezeshkian said Iran and Russia enjoy various capacities to boost cooperation.

“Iran and Russia can have extensive cooperation in the fields of roads, education, trade, and other areas, and this cooperation can neutralize the sanctions and extremism of the United States and Western countries,” he said.

He said Tehran is determined to expand relations with Moscow, emphasizing that the signing of a long-awaited comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between the two sides will open a “new chapter” in mutual ties.

The Iranian president and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are expected to sign the agreement in Moscow later in the day. The two presidents held talks earlier on Friday.

The new 20-year agreement on a comprehensive strategic partnership between Iran and Russia covers the sectors of economy, transportation, energy, health, and agriculture.

The agreement also covers Tehran-Moscow cooperation in the face of common challenges, including natural disasters, organized crimes, and terrorism.

The Russian prime minister, for his part, highlighted the significance of the strategic partnership cooperation and said the two countries are expanding relations in a host of fields.

Iran and Russia are both subject to illegal Western sanctions. They have over the past years deepened their cooperation in various sectors.