In the 1990s, Russia and Iran successfully laid the foundations for interaction and signifi cantly expanded their spheres of cooperation. Their concurring positions and interests over a wide range of global and regional problems facilitated this. At the beginning of the 21st century relations developed unevenly, with periods of active dialogue, rapprochement, and numerous agreements giving way to periods of caution and diverging positions. The degree of these fluctuations depended on global and regional factors as well as the internal circumstances in each country. Russias participation in international sanctions has aroused discontent in Iran. Despite this the political establishments of both countries continue to demonstrate an interest in developing bilateral relations and to reaffi rm their shared geopolitical interests.