Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has departed for Russia to attend the eighth summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), emphasizing energy transit security, free trade and multilateral cooperation as key priorities for the gathering.
Speaking before his departure on Monday evening, President Pezeshkian said the forum, which Iran helped establish, provides a platform similar to OPEC for cooperation among gas-producing countries.
He noted that the organization has 12 full members and eight observer countries, whose combined resources account for more than 70 percent of global gas reserves, giving them a significant role in meeting international energy needs.
President Pezeshkian said regional instability had created challenges for the free movement of energy, with consequences extending beyond the region to affect the global economy. He argued that ensuring the security of energy transportation routes and addressing existing threats would require dialogue, cooperation and sustainable solutions.
Agreements among gas-producing and exporting countries, he added, could contribute significantly to managing global energy markets and strengthening international cooperation.
The president also highlighted the summit as an opportunity to meet participating heads of state and hold bilateral discussions. During the visit, he is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.
Describing relations between Tehran and Moscow as expanding, President Pezeshkian said both sides would seek to deepen cooperation across various sectors.
He further stressed the importance of strengthening multilateralism and opposing unilateral measures in international affairs. No single power, he said, should impose its preferences or restrictions on other countries.
Referring to Iran’s cooperation with Russia and other partners through BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), President Pezeshkian advocated expanding trade through national currencies or mutually agreed financial arrangements.
He criticized the use of the US dollar’s international status to impose sanctions and economic restrictions, arguing that such practices undermine countries’ ability to conduct independent economic relations.
President Pezeshkian said cooperation among energy-producing nations could support more effective management of global markets while advancing multilateral approaches to international relations.
He also expressed hope that the summit and his discussions with his Russian counterpart would help expand bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation on shared priorities.