In high-level talks, Alexei Miller, the head of Gazprom, explored bilateral energy cooperation with Kazim Celali, Iran’s ambassador to Russia. The conversation touched on several urgent topics, including plans to strengthen ties in the oil and gas sectors and to advance projects in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) domain. The discussion was relayed through Gazprom’s official Telegram channel, underscoring the importance placed on energy collaboration between the two nations.
A formal meeting between Miller and Jalali, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Russian Federation, was followed by a Gazprom statement. The release noted that the parties reviewed current issues related to energy cooperation and potential avenues for future collaboration across multiple energy sectors.
Previously, Gazprom and the National Iranian Oil Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding on strategic cooperation in July of the prior year. The holding’s press materials describe how the memorandum lays a foundation for closer ties in diverse energy fields, including main gas pipeline construction, joint development of gas and oil fields in Iran, and related infrastructure initiatives. These steps reflect a broader strategy to align energy interests and capabilities between the two countries.
On the economic and energy policy front, Deputy Foreign Minister Mehdi Safari spoke about Iran’s plans to procure natural gas from Russia, signaling a potential shift in regional energy dynamics. Tehran has also expressed ambitions to broaden its fuel sales to neighboring markets in the near term, signaling a push to diversify export routes and strengthen regional energy security. Observers see these moves as part of a broader objective to integrate Iran more fully into regional energy networks, while maintaining stable supply relationships with major energy producers. [cited sources: Gazprom communications, Iranian Ministry statements, and regional energy policy briefings]