Politics · Russia · 1 day ago
Russia open to exploring CIS cooperation format with Iran
Russia says it is ready to explore a cooperation format linking the CIS and Iran with partners interested in the idea.
The CIS is a group of former Soviet states, and Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin described Moscow’s position.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attended a CIS leaders’ summit in Turkmenistan on October 9 after receiving an invitation.
Pezeshkian had proposed a CIS-plus-one format, and Russia said the idea drew interest in Moscow and elsewhere.
Moscow sees strong potential for wider cooperation with Iran across different areas.
But Pankin said it is too early to discuss Iran joining the organization.
Russia says existing CIS arrangements for working with outside countries are enough to support cooperation and joint projects for now.
Russia is prepared to explore a CIS-plus-Iran cooperation format with partners interested in the initiative, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin said.
Pankin said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s proposal for a “CIS + 1” format had drawn significant interest in Moscow and elsewhere.
Russia sees considerable potential for expanding cooperation between the Commonwealth of Independent States and Iran.
Pankin said it was premature to discuss expanding the organization’s membership.
- Who
- Russia, represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin, and Iran.
- What
- Russia is prepared to explore a CIS-plus-Iran cooperation format with interested partners.
- When
- Pankin made the comments in an interview published on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Russia sees significant potential for cooperation between the CIS and Iran across a wide range of areas.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attended a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State in Turkmenistan.
Pankin said Russia was prepared to work with interested partners on Pezeshkian’s CIS-plus-Iran proposal.
- Russian official
- Alexander Pankin, Deputy Foreign Minister
- Iranian proposal
- CIS + 1” format
- CIS summit
- October 9 in Turkmenistan
- Russia’s position
- Ready to explore the format with interested partners
- Membership expansion
- Pankin called discussion of it premature
What people are saying
The Russian side is prepared to work on this initiative with its partners.
the expansion of cooperation between the CIS and Iran has enormous potential across a wide range of areas
premature