Iranian media reports say a Russian delegation met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran yesterday as the two countries prepared to sign a comprehensive cooperation agreement.

The Russian delegation invited President Pezeshkian to visit Russia early in 2025, the media reports said.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei earlier said the deal was set to be signed during a bilateral visit in January.

Russia’s Interfax news agency says the Russian delegation to Iran is headed by deputy prime ministers Alexei Overchuk and Vitaly Savelyev.

According to TASS, the Russian delegation also included Minister of Sport Roman Starovoit, and RZD CEO Oleg Belozerov.

IRNA reported yesterday that Iran's Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref noted during a meeting with the Russian deputy prime ministers that fortunately, there is a serious determination by the senior officials of both countries to develop relations at the highest level.

"It is important to use the existing capacities in the relations between Iran and Russia as much as possible, and we are sure that the expansion of relations is in the interest of the region in addition to the interests of the two countries," Aref said.

He pointed out that in addition to bilateral relations, Iran and Russia cooperate in organizations such as the Eurasian Union, BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and there is a possibility of expanding this cooperation.

Aref reportedly also emphasized the importance of implementing agreements between the two countries.

Referring to Iran's privileged geographical location and capabilities, the Russian side emphasized Moscow's determination to strengthen cooperation in various fields.

Russia’s TASS, citing Iranian president’s press service, says visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister for Transport Vitaly Savelyev has handed over to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin’s invitation to pay an official visit to Russia "in the first days of 2025".

According to Iranian’s president’s press service, the visiting Russian deputy prime minister said that the Russian government is ready "to hold talks and organize" Pezeshkian’s visit to Russia.

Russia has bolstered closer ties with Iran and other countries hostile towards the United States such as North Korea since the start of the war on Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in October that Moscow and Tehran intended to sign a deal which would include closer defense cooperation. The two countries have participated in regular military drills together and have been working closely on drone and missile technology.