Russia and Iran Deepen Military Ties with 20-Year Strategic Partnership

Russia and Iran Deepen Military Ties with 20-Year Strategic Partnership

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian signed a 20-year strategic partnership agreement on Friday, deepening military ties between the two countries and raising concerns in the West.

The agreement outlines increased cooperation in various areas, including security services, military drills, warship port visits, and joint officer training. Both countries have pledged not to allow their territories to be used for actions that threaten the other and to refrain from aiding any aggressor attacking either nation. Additionally, they will collaborate to counter military threats.

However, the agreement does not include a mutual defense clause like the one in Russia's treaty with North Korea, which has reportedly seen North Korean troops deployed to fight in Ukraine. It also makes no specific mention of arms transfers, a major concern for the U.S. and its allies, although both sides agreed to develop "military-technical cooperation."

Pezeshkian, on his first Kremlin visit since becoming president last July, hailed the treaty as a significant new chapter in bilateral relations. Putin echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the shared views between Moscow and Tehran on international affairs.

Both leaders highlighted the economic benefits of the partnership, particularly the increased trade conducted in their respective currencies. Putin also emphasized the need to overcome bureaucratic hurdles and move forward despite external challenges, likely referring to Western sanctions imposed on both countries.

The agreement comes amidst Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, where Moscow and Tehran have been accused of providing military support to opposing sides. Russia has reportedly used Iranian drones in the conflict, while the U.S. has accused Iran of supplying missiles to Russia. Both countries deny these allegations.

Despite these tensions, Putin and Pezeshkian emphasized that their increasingly close ties are not directed against other countries. They also expressed hope for a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine.

The partnership with Iran is part of Russia's broader strategy of cultivating closer ties with nations considered hostile to the U.S. since the start of the Ukraine war. Moscow already has strategic pacts with North Korea and Belarus, as well as a partnership agreement with China.

The agreement's impact on the Middle East remains uncertain, particularly with Iran's influence in the region waning due to the fall of Assad in Syria and setbacks for Iran-backed groups in Lebanon and Gaza. Additionally, the fate of two major Russian military facilities in Syria remains unclear following Assad's downfall.