Russia and Iran have signed a 20-year “strategic partnership” treaty, solidifying military and economic ties between the two nations. The agreement was announced during a visit to Moscow by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The treaty outlines closer military collaboration, including joint military exercises on both nations’ territories and beyond. Russia and Iran pledged to consult and cooperate on addressing military and security threats. Additionally, the two countries agreed not to allow their territories to be used for actions threatening the other side.
Iran has already supplied drones to Russia, and according to Western intelligence, it has also provided ballistic missiles. The partnership further deepens their military relationship amid ongoing tensions with Western nations.
The treaty extends beyond military cooperation to include trade, technology, and energy collaboration. Iranian President Pezeshkian described the agreement as marking “a new chapter of relations” between the two countries.
At a joint news conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia is considering building new nuclear power units in Iran. Additionally, Moscow is exploring options to sell its surplus natural gas to Tehran.
A proposed gas pipeline from Russia to Iran, currently under negotiation, would pass through Azerbaijan, according to Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev. The pipeline could eventually transport up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually to Iran.
Russia has increasingly turned to allies such as Iran, China, and North Korea following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. With the European Union significantly reducing its imports of Russian gas, Moscow is seeking to diversify its energy partnerships and secure new markets.
