INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian in January,aims to strengthen cooperation in areas including defense, intelligence sharing, trade and
and refrain from aiding an aggressor if either country is attacked.Unlike a similar agreement with North Korea ratified in October, the Iran
said in an address to the State Duma.The treaty also promotes investment in oil and gas development, joint long-term projects in peaceful
nuclear energy and the creation of a payment system independent of third countries that uses national currencies.In January, Putin called
Washington.On Monday, Trump announced direct nuclear talks with Iran to be held this coming weekend, after first threatening military action
if Tehran refused to negotiate.Russia welcomed the United States initiative and announced separate expert-level talks with China and Iran
on nuclear issues in Moscow on Tuesday.AFP contributed reporting.
