Iran rejects European calls to sever ties with Russia, calls demands "unreasonable"

 Iran has no intention of scaling back its strategic relationship with Moscow despite pressure from European nations, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday.

Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Baghaei dismissed expectations that Tehran would abandon its partners to satisfy Western diplomatic demands.

"It is illogical and unreasonable to expect every state maintaining friendly ties with Russia to sever them simply because Europe demands it," Baghaei stated. He further urged European capitals to reflect on their own roles in the Ukraine conflict rather than shifting blame to third parties.

 The statement underscores the deepening military and economic alliance between Tehran and Moscow, which has intensified since 2022. Western officials have repeatedly accused Iran of supplying Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine—claims Tehran continues to deny.

The relationship was recently codified under a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, signaling a long-term pivot by Iran toward Eurasian security structures amid stalled nuclear negotiations with the West.

N.Tebrizli