Moscow will respectfully accept Iran's accession to the Mecca Pact if Tehran decides that it will contribute to peace. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated this during a joint press conference following talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, TASS reports.

"If at any stage the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran considers that contacts with this organization can contribute to the promotion of the goals of peace and free development, we [i.e. Russia] will respect this choice of our friends," the Russian foreign minister assured. Also, he recalled that Russia had welcomed the formation of the Mecca Pact.

"We proceed from the fact that the goals underlying this association, as stated, are to achieve stability, promote peace and cooperation," Lavrov noted. He added that "some other countries and regions, including Arab countries, are also showing interest in this ‘troika’ and in joining this work."