Abstract
<jats:p>The research aims to identify the potential of the creative industries of Russia and Iran as a soft power tool and a platform for strengthening interstate cooperation. The article examines the development of modern intercultural relations between Iran and Russia in the context of cooperation in the field of creative industries, compares the development of creative industries in Iran and Russia with the trends of global deindustrialization and the development of the digital economy, characterizes the most potential areas for the development of relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia in the field of culture, establishes the limitations and possible areas of interaction between the creative industries of the studied countries in the 21st century. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that a new direction of dialogue between Iran and Russia in the field of culture has been discovered, the works of modern Iranian authors (M. Shameli Hajiabadi, M. Pourzakarya, Sh. Lashgari) on the problems of development of creative industries have been introduced into scientific circulation for the first time and analyzed, existing approaches to the development of this sector in Iran have been systematized and their significance for deepening bilateral cultural and economic cooperation has been assessed. It has been proven that creative industries are becoming a new factor in political interaction between the two countries. The need to involve regional cultural institutions in developing dialogue between Iran and Russia has been substantiated. The study found that both countries demonstrate political will to cooperate. Official relations are complemented by contacts between entrepreneurs and non-governmental non-profit organizations. Asymmetry and a certain wariness in the relationship persist. At the same time, it is necessary to involve regional ministries of culture, entrepreneurship support funds, and the third sector in developing cultural dialogue and to encourage applications from non-profit organizations for grants from the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives and the Gorchakov Fund to develop cultural dialogue between Iran and Russia.</jats:p>