On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian locked their nations into military cooperation, signing a 20-year strategic partnership that indicates closer ties potentially capable of unnerving Western powers.
The deal spells greater cooperation between Russia and Iran, especially in areas such as security services, joint military exercises, port visits by their navies, and officer training programs. The two countries vowed not to permit their territories for hostile actions against each other and cooperate in neutralizing mutual military threats. Nevertheless, the treaty does not provide for a mutual defense clause as with Russia’s deal with North Korea.
Though the deal did not raise the question of arms transfer, it underscored plans to advance “military-technical cooperation.” Pezeshkian, visiting Moscow for the first time since being elected last July, said this treaty is the most significant landmark in bilateral ties. Putin referred to potential intensification of the economic and trade ties as both countries planned most trade transactions to take place in national currencies.
On Western sanctions, Putin declared that he has every confidence in overcoming external challenges through stronger bilateral cooperation. He also confirmed that Russia regularly updates Iran on developments in Ukraine and maintains close consultations on the Middle East and South Caucasus.
In remarks underlining the importance of the treaty in achieving a “multi-polar world,” Pezeshkian hoped for the conflict in Ukraine to be peacefully resolved. It represents Moscow’s approach to balancing itself with the opposing nations hostile to US influence in light of increasing relations with North Korea, China, and Belarus.
As Iran’s regional influence dwindles, especially after the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, this alliance with Russia is an attempt to strengthen the strategic positions of both nations against Western scrutiny.
