Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko held negotiations with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Minsk on 20 August. The distinguished guest was supposed to visit Minsk back in June but the trip was postponed due to the well-known events in the Middle East. However, the postponement did not diminish the importance of the visit. The presidents of Belarus and Iran held substantive talks that lasted almost four hours in a warm and constructive atmosphere. BelTA has put together a review about the results of the meeting and the development path of cooperation between Minsk and Tehran.
Lukashenko outlines the principle of Belarusian-Iranian friendship
The head of state warmly welcomed the distinguished guest, noting that his visit to Belarus was initially planned for June of this year, coinciding with the Eurasian Economic Forum and the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Minsk. However, due to well-known circumstances (another wave of military escalation in the region and strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure) Masoud Pezeshkian was unable to fly to Minsk. Nevertheless, Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that the postponement of the visit does not diminish its importance in any way.
"You have been our friends and remain so. We are committed to fulfilling all the obligations we have undertaken with regard to Iran. You have come to your friends, and you should feel at home here. If there is any shortfall in meeting the terms we agreed upon, I believe we will discuss these matters today in a frank and friendly conversation,” the Belarusian leader said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also mentioned his visits to Tehran, which he said were filled with warmth and hospitality, and also his meetings with Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, to whom the president asked to convey his warmest and most friendly wishes.
Returning to the agenda of the talks, the head of state stressed: “We are keen to discuss any questions; no topics are off-limits for us. We are ready to cooperate with you [across all areas], from food supplies to your country to military-technical cooperation. I would like to reiterate that there are no secrets here. We are not building friendship against anyone. Everything we do is for the benefit of the peoples of our two countries.
"I would like to affirm that the Islamic Republic of Iran sees no topics as off-limits for developing relations with the Republic of Belarus and is interested in advancing comprehensive relations with Belarus," Masoud Pezeshkian stated. The Iranian president also confirmed the similarity of positions and views with Belarus on issues of global significance.
“Of course, our common views should be realized in economy and culture, in the development of tourism between our countries and also, as you noted, in the development of military-technical cooperation,” Masoud Pezeshkian stated.
He recalled that the West has been imposing various restrictive measures against Iran for over 40 years. Belarus has also been subject to Western sanctions for a long time. The Iranian president believes that such a unilateral destructive approach by the United States and its allies around the world is unacceptable.
“We share a fundamental desire to remain independent. From this position of sovereignty, we will develop our friendship and cooperation. We know that the path to neutralizing these illegal sanctions lies in the implementation of our agreements and the continued growth of our relationship,” Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized.
In the spirit of Omar Khayyam: Turning new challenges into opportunities
At the expanded-format talks, the Belarusian head of state noted that the Iranian president’s visit marks a new stage in the development of bilateral relations based on mutual respect and trust.
“In conditions of geopolitical turbulence Minsk and Tehran make consistent and balanced steps on further advancement of cooperation, are doing meticulous work in order to turn every new challenge into a new opportunity,” he stressed.
Continuing the line of thought, Aleksandr Lukashenko quoted the great Persian philosopher and poet Omar Khayyam: “The one seeking pearls has to dive deep”. “As we overcome obstacles, we temper our will, develop and build strong and independent states,” the Belarusian president stressed.
He recalled that the agreement to organize a visit of the Iranian president to Minsk was made when the two leaders met in the Russian city of Kazan on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in autumn 2024. This summit was remarkable for Belarus because the country officially became a partner of this international association.
“I am confident that an increase in joint efforts within the framework of international organizations is capable of having a positive effect on the expansion of economic ties. An important area of work is to improve transport interconnectivity and to develop the North-South corridor by leveraging resources of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
In his words, regular sessions of the Belarus-Iran economic cooperation commission have a positive effect, too. The previous session took place in Minsk in January 2025.
Lukashenko: Everything is in place for a major breakthrough
Characterizing the cooperation between the two countries in various areas, the Belarusian head of state emphasized: “Let us be frank, we are just confidently moving forward, whereas in the current situation we need not to walk but to run. Everything is in place for a large-scale leap. And you, Mr. President, have put it very correctly, we have more than enough resources for dynamic growth.”
Over the past five years, the trade between the two countries has increased fivefold. “Trade is growing at a good rate, but the total volume should be higher. That said, our trade has grown by a third since the start of the year amid challenging conditions,” the president noted.
In Iran, there is demand for Belarusian woodworking products, chemical industry goods, and potash fertilizers. Belarusians have come to appreciate not only Iranian fruits and nuts but also high-tech products, particularly in the healthcare sector.
“Belarus is ready to launch joint industrial projects to produce quarry machinery, tractors, and other types of agricultural equipment. We propose establishing joint production facilities and ventures (given conducive conditions) to localize our manufacturing in Iran,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized. “We are counting on the development of cooperation in investment, banking and finance, transportation, science and technology, and other important areas such as education, healthcare, and sports.
Separately, the head of state spoke about cooperation in the humanitarian field. This topic is important because cultural exchanges help people better understand each other’s traditions and history, which fosters greater understanding and, in the long term, helps build strong friendships.
Furthermore, the head of state noted the active work at the interregional level, underscoring Belarus' interest in developing existing ties and expanding their geography.
Right to peaceful nuclear energy and the ability to restrain emotions as a factor in preserving peace
During the talks, the heads of state, of course, could not avoid the topic of regional security. As is known, the situation there is extremely tense, a development that followed a new wave of military escalation between Israel and Iran, which led to the direct involvement of the USA in the conflict.
“The military confrontation poses a serious threat to regional and international stability and security, especially in light of the strikes on Iran's infrastructure, including its nuclear facilities, which are under IAEA control,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized as he spoke to the media. “We support Iran's legitimate right to the development of peaceful nuclear energy. I am convinced that achieving lasting peace requires refraining from any actions that could provoke a new escalation. Wisdom and foresight must prevail over emotions and prejudices.”
At the same time, Belarus' position on the matter remains consistent and firm. Belarusian head of state Aleksandr Lukashenko openly stated this even during the most intense phase - in June 2025, when, due to objective circumstances, the president of Iran was unable to visit Minsk and participate in the EAEU summit.
During the current visit to Belarus Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian thanked the Belarusian leader and his EAEU counterparts for his position regarding the attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. “Your speech at the EAEU summit was very substantive,” he said addressing Aleksandr Lukashenko. “You noted the bitter Chernobyl experience and spoke about the need to prevent the events to develop in that direction and condemned the attacks on Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities.”
The Iranian president stated that these attacks were carried out in violation of all international norms and standards. “In essence, they [the USA] trampled on international law and all universally recognized norms. The Islamic Republic of Iran has never started a war against anyone. But when we become the target of attacks, we must respond accordingly,” he emphasized.
Masoud Pezeshkian is convinced that these attacks were directed not only against Iran but against all independent countries of the world: “We understand that the collective West wants to dominate the entire region.”
Cooperation transitioning to a new, strategic level
Following the talks, Aleksandr Lukashenko characterized them as highly substantive and the atmosphere of the meeting as warm and constructive. “It could not have been otherwise. Our sovereign states are connected by more than 30 years of fruitful cooperation, based on sincere friendship and respect,” the head of state said.
In his words, the parties have secured good results that will allow making positive changes in bilateral interaction. “It will be a good result of these shifts if we prepare and sign a treaty on strategic cooperation soon the way we’ve agreed on it with the president,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The dialogue of the two countries will continue relying on the principle of mutual trust while definitely taking into account each other’s interests.
Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that Belarus views Iran as an important political and economic partner not only in the Asian region but in the international arena as a whole. “Over the last few years we’ve managed to secure serious progress through joint efforts: we rapidly advance interaction in various areas of priority importance for both countries,” he said. The cooperation avenues that received close attention during the negotiations included the promotion of trade and manufacturing cooperation, investment cooperation as well as the realization of joint initiatives in the field of science, technology, and education.
A collective response to sanctions of the collective West
Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that as responsible participants of international cooperation Belarus and Iran share common values and principles of interaction of sovereign states, are intent on building a multipolar world where every country charts its own path of development without external interference.
“Belarus considers the illegal restrictive measures enforced by the collective West against Minsk and Tehran to be economic terrorism,” the head of state stated. “Our republics successfully counteract this aggressive and hypocritical war of sanctions.”
The Belarus president pointed out that this work is bolstered by Belarus’ and Iran’s active steps within the framework of the United Nations Organization, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, and other bodies that shape a new, fair, and constructive agenda of international cooperation today.
Aleksandr Lukashenko added that Belarus welcomes Iran’s inclusion in trade and economic processes in the space of the Eurasian Economic Union. The coming into force of the fully featured agreement on free trade between the EAEU and Iran expands the geography of trade links and opens new markets for the countries. The president is convinced that it represents a respectable contribution to the formation of the foundation of long-term strategic partnership between Iran and the EAEU and will enhance the economic security of all the parties.
“Iran persuades us to more actively use the logistic route via Russia and Iran. Russia, Armenia, Iran, and to the Persian Gulf. They are persuading us! But we are the ones that need it first and foremost,” the head of state stated.
To update plans and identify focus points. What documents have been signed as a result of the visit?
As a result of top-level negotiations in the Palace of Independence Belarus and Iran have signed a package of documents on various avenues of cooperation. The documents include an agreement on flight worthiness between the respective government agencies of the two countries, memorandums of cooperation and mutual understanding in the field of environmental protection and forestry, tourism, healthcare, veterinary science, standardization, mass media, and on promoting investments in free zones.
The Belarusian leader noted that the talks between the delegations of Belarus and Iran showed that both sides are keen on moving forward with their planned joint projects. “Belarus-Iran humanitarian cooperation has significant potential for developing cultural ties, exchanging knowledge and experience, which contributes to deepening mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples,” the head of state said.
The Belarusian president stated that a decision had been made to intensify interaction in science and technology and to hold the eighth meeting of the joint Belarusian-Iranian commission on cooperation in higher education, science and technology in Minsk this year.
Aleksandr Lukashenko assured Masoud Pezeshkian that the Belarusian side would do everything possible to implement the reached agreements at all levels and in all areas as soon as possible. “I am convinced that the documents signed today will serve to significantly expand the partnership between our friendly nations,” the head of state added.
The most important document in terms of status and conceptual significance for both sides, signed following the talks in Minsk, was the joint statement of the presidents on more profound advancement of relations between Belarus and Iran.
As Aleksandr Lukashenko explained, this statement revises the plans of both sides and prioritizes goals outlined in the roadmap for comprehensive cooperation. which was signed during the visit of the Belarusian president to Iran in March 2023. It is already being implemented and it will last until 2026.
“We agreed with the Iranian president on the initiative of our ministries of foreign affairs that we will once again review the main provisions of our roadmap in the near future. We will keep what is very relevant and necessary for us and will certainly fulfill it,” the Belarusian president said.
The statement reflects the similarity of the parties' positions on issues of bilateral, regional and international relations, and confirms the course towards consistent intensification of traditionally friendly and strategic ties between Belarus and Iran.
The parties expressed satisfaction with the dynamic and progressive development of Belarusian-Iranian interaction, the active exchange of visits at the highest and high levels in recent years, which lends stability to the existing interstate ties and promotes their deepening across all areas.
The statement says that Belarus and Iran base their relations on the principle of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, independence, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, good faith cooperation and mutual respect for interests. The parties also confirmed the importance and necessity of observing the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and refraining from the use or threat of force, the principle of mutually beneficial cooperation for the sake of peace, stability and development, and the norms of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
