Iranian Economy Minister Seyyed Ali Madanizadeh raised the issue during a series of meetings with senior Russian and Eurasian Economic Union officials in Moscow, according to Iran’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance.

Madanizadeh met with Andrey Slepnev, the EAEU’s minister for trade, and Bakytzhan Sagintayev, secretary-general of the Eurasian Economic Union, to discuss ways of expanding bilateral and multilateral economic and trade cooperation.

A key focus of the talks was the possibility of reaching an agreement on a common benchmark currency for settling financial transactions between Iran and the EAEU. Such a mechanism could help facilitate cross-border payments and reduce reliance on conventional payment channels exposed to sanctions-related restrictions.

The officials also discussed measures to deepen economic and commercial ties, remove trade barriers and accelerate the completion of transport links and transit corridors connecting Iran with Russia and other EAEU markets.

Iran’s ambassador to Russia and senior members of the economic delegations from both sides attended the meeting.

Tehran has increasingly sought to expand economic ties with Russia and EAEU member states as part of efforts to diversify trade and payment channels amid extensive US sanctions. Greater use of regional economic and financial capacities is also intended to mitigate the impact of what Iranian officials describe as a US-led economic blockade and restrictions on Iran’s access to international markets.

The discussions come as Iran seeks to strengthen its economic integration with the EAEU, improve trade connectivity and develop alternative mechanisms for cross-border settlements. For Tehran, establishing more flexible payment arrangements with major trading partners is a key component of efforts to sustain trade flows and reduce the vulnerability of transactions to external financial restrictions.