Russia says Iran's proposal to expand ties with CIS countries is supported.
Moscow, Irena -. Russia has welcomed President Massoud Pezhkians' proposal to establish a framework for cooperation between Iran and the Commonwealth of Nations (CIS), with Moscow ready to discuss its implementation with other member states, says the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister.
Alexander Pankin told the Russian news agency TASS that the proposal received a positive response in Moscow, other capitals of the Commonwealth of Nations and in expert circles.
He noted that Pazhkian was the first Iranian president to be invited to the summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Nations since the establishment of the blocs. The meeting was held on October 9, 2026 in Turkmenistan.
Pankin said that Russia was among the first countries to support the initiative and welcomed Iran's participation in the summit.
He described the cooperation between Iran and the Commonwealth of Nations as having considerable potential, while saying that it is too early to discuss the expansion of membership in the blocs. The proposed CIS+1 format, he added, offers an opportunity to strengthen ties with other countries.
The proposal was presented at a summit in Avaza, Turkmenistan, where heads of state also signed 15 cooperation documents and emphasized regional security and stronger ties.
The Commonwealth of Nations was established in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Its leaders approved a new cooperation framework at a summit in October 2025 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.