Iran and Russia have signed a new memorandum to expand cooperation on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and other digital technologies, following the fifth meeting of their Joint Working Group on communications and information technology in Moscow.

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The agreements were formalized during a ceremony held Friday night in the Russian capital, marking the conclusion of the latest session of the bilateral working group. The memorandum was signed by Iran’s Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Meysam Abedi, and Russia’s Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, Alexander Shoitov.

Abedi said the new commitments build on existing coordination between both governments in data transit, smart governance and postal transit infrastructure. He noted that Iran’s private sector has now joined these efforts through new contracts with Russian counterparts.

“In addition to bilateral governmental interactions in fields such as data transit, smart governance and postal transit infrastructure, today the Iranian private sector has also signed contracts in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and its applications, as well as the manufacturing of products needed for communications infrastructure, with the aim of meeting the needs of the other side and producing joint products,” he said.

The memorandum includes cooperation on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, smart governance, blockchain, financial technology, regulatory frameworks and technological and postal parks. It also outlines measures to consolidate ties between private-sector entities in both countries.

Abedi told journalists that Tehran and Moscow had reaffirmed their commitment to expanding state-level cooperation in communications and information technology. He added that the visit resulted in the signing of 20 understandings and five contracts to further strengthen bilateral collaboration.

The Iranian delegation, led by the deputy minister and accompanied by government officials and representatives from 16 major Iranian technology companies, traveled to Moscow to participate in the fifth meeting of the Joint Working Group and to engage with Russian firms.

The document comes amid broader efforts by Tehran and Moscow to increase strategic cooperation as both governments position themselves in opposition to U.S. policies and sanctions, which they describe as tools of pressure against states advocating multilateralism.

Earlier this year, Iran and Russia removed the U.S. dollar and the SWIFT system from their bilateral trade. In January, both countries signed a 20-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, which officially entered into force in early October.

The latest agreements signal a continued effort by Iran and Russia to deepen technological collaboration and expand long-term strategic ties across the digital sector.

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