Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Moscow on March 27 for a two-day state visit on the official invitation of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. The government-run Iran daily on March 28 placed the landmark trip within the context of regional developments, writing, “Syria has faced important developments following Iran and Russia’s cooperation, and terrorist groups have been forced to retreat from Aleppo. Iraqi military forces are advancing toward the last stronghold of Daesh [the Islamic State], and Mosul is close to being fully liberated. Turkey is dealing with political crises, an important referendum in April is being held in some European cities for [expatriate] Turks, and Turkey has triggered new challenges against Iran and Russia. The Yemeni crisis has not only not abated, but it has been exacerbated. [Meanwhile], Iran and Saudi Arabia’s relationship is facing tension."

Rouhani first met with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. Following the meeting, Rouhani said, “There is no doubt that cooperation between [our] two countries positively impacts stability and security in the region and in the world.” Medvedev described the Iranian president’s visit as a significant step in the development of relations and said it can aid the development of deeper bilateral ties.

On March 28, Rouhani received an honorary degree from Moscow State University and addressed professors and students at a ceremony. "Resolving the issues of today's world requires cooperation among scientists and governments," Rouhani said, adding, “The decline of the West's dominance and the end of the monopoly on wealth is a historic opportunity to build a new world.”

Noting that “there should be a global consensus to root out extremism and violence,” Iran’s president emphasized, “Islamophobia, racism and takfiri [jihadi] ideas have common roots."