Tehran (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Wednesday, Iran’s parliament ratified a 20-year strategic partnership with Moscow. This agreement marks a significant enhancement of bilateral relations, emphasizing increased defence collaboration.
Since the onset of the war in Ukraine in 2022, Iran and Russia have strengthened their military relationship, leading Western nations to accuse Iran of supplying missiles and drones for Russian assaults on Ukraine. Tehran, however, refutes these claims, asserting that it does not supply weapons for use in Ukraine.
Putin stated that Russia consistently updated Iran on the developments in the Ukraine conflict and that they closely collaborated on happenings in the Middle East and the South Caucasus region.
On January 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian signed a 20-year strategic partnership treaty, enhancing defence cooperation.
The Russian legislative branch approved the pact in April. While the agreement does not include a mutual defence clause, it says both countries will work together against common military threats, develop their military-technical cooperation, and take part in joint exercises.
What does the Iran-Russia strategic deal really mean?
The strategic agreement also encompasses various clauses designed to enhance economic collaboration, particularly by reinforcing direct interbank partnerships and encouraging the use of national financial products.
How deep is Iran and Russia’s defence cooperation?
As reported by Reuters, according to the agreement, the two nations will collaborate to address shared military threats, engage in joint training exercises, and enhance their “military-technical cooperation.” If one nation faces an attack, the other will not support the aggressor and will strive to resolve disputes in accordance with the U.N. Charter and international law.
Both countries will not permit their territories to be used for supporting separatist movements or actions that endanger each other’s stability and territorial integrity. To address shared threats, their intelligence and security services will exchange information, share experiences, and collaborate more closely.
Moreover, a free trade agreement between Iran and the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union took effect last week, reducing tariffs to enhance trade between both economies, which face significant Western sanctions.
