Russia`s energy minister Sergey Tsivilyov (left) shakes hands with Secretary of Iran`s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani before a meeting in Tehran on February 17, 2026. (IRNA photo)

Russia`s energy minister has held high-stakes meetings in the Iranian capital, Tehran, amid growing economic cooperation between the two allied countries.

Sergey Tsivilyov met with the Secretary of Iran`s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Ali Larijani, as well as with Iran`s Oil Minister, Mohsen Paknejad, on Tuesday.

Larijani said during the meeting that Iran and Russia have maintained a distinguished level of bilateral relations in recent years, despite continued pressure from Western powers.

"Tehran and Moscow have faced similar pressures and restrictions from the West in recent years, but these pressures have failed to halt the path of strategic cooperation between the two countries," he said.

In response, Tsivilyov affirmed Iran`s strategic position in Russia`s foreign policy and described the atmosphere of dialogue and economic cooperation between the two nations as positive.

Tsivilyov later went to the headquarters of the Iranian Oil Ministry to meet with Paknejad. During their talks, the two emphasized the need for Iran and Russia to expand their relations in various economic fields, including oil and energy, transportation, and trade.

Tsivilyov and Paknejad, who co-chair the Iran-Russia Intergovernmental Economic Cooperation Committee, also discussed efforts to finalize and implement documents signed in previous rounds of committee meetings.

The two ministers are expected to sign a draft final document of the 19th round of the Committee on Wednesday.

The current round of Committee sessions began in Tehran on Monday, with officials and business leaders from Iran and Russia participating in meetings of 17 expert sub-committees to plan and discuss joint projects.

Iran and Russia have significantly expanded their economic relations since 2022, when Moscow came under Western sanctions due to its military confrontation in Ukraine.

Economic ties between the two sides further expanded in March 2025 when Iran implemented a free trade deal with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Moscow has also committed to investment in several key transportation and energy projects, including a major railroad in northern Iran.