Moscow: Sergey Nikolayevich Baburin, former deputy chairman of Russia's State Duma, has expressed that the late Iranian politician Ali Larijani was a distinguished statesman who held significant trust among Russian authorities, including President Vladimir Putin.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Baburin highlighted that Larijani's opinions were highly regarded in Moscow. He was trusted not only by President Putin but also by numerous officials within the Russian government. Baburin shared these insights during an interview marking the 40th day since Larijani's martyrdom, which occurred in a US-Israeli airstrike amid the recent conflict involving the two regimes and Iran.

Baburin further commented on the immense loss felt by Larijani's passing, attributing his assassination to his status as a well-known statesman and his capability in defending Iran's interests on the international stage. At the time of his martyrdom on March 17, Larijani held the position of secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. His career also included roles as the parliament speaker and advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, showcasing his significant influence and leadership within Iran.