MOSCOW, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council, on Monday condemned another attempt by external forces to interfere in Iran's internal affairs, local media quoted the council's press service as saying.
He made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, in which Shoigu expressed condolences over the heavy casualties in Iran, the press service said.
The two sides agreed to maintain close contact and coordinate their positions to ensure security, it said.
Shoigu also reaffirmed Moscow's readiness to further develop bilateral cooperation based on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by Russia and Iran in 2025.
Protests broke out across Iran late last month over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms, before spiraling into nationwide unrest with clashes reported between police and demonstrators.
On Jan. 2, Larijani warned the United States against interfering in Iran's internal affairs, saying such actions would disrupt regional stability and harm U.S. interests. ■