Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Federation Security Council, said Russia will not sacrifice its relationship with Tehran and is prepared to mediate between the US and Iran to help end the war. He said Russia‑Iran ties are at an unprecedented level and bilateral trade rose 20% last year. The planned Rasht–Astara railway, financed by Russia and Iran, will link Rasht to Astara on the Azerbaijan border and is a key element of the International North‑South Transport Corridor connecting Europ

Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Federation Security Council, said Russia will not sacrifice its relationship with Tehran and is prepared to mediate between the US and Iran to help end the war. He said Russia‑Iran ties are at an unprecedented level and bilateral trade rose 20% last year. The planned Rasht–Astara railway, financed by Russia and Iran, will link Rasht to Astara on the Azerbaijan border and is a key element of the International North‑South Transport Corridor connecting Europe, Russia, the Persian Gulf and India via Azerbaijan and Iran. Medvedev said Russia plans to build a new nuclear power plant in Iran in addition to Bushehr. He added that Iran plays a key role in ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz.