Russia and Iran want to strengthen military ties

Russia and Iran have agreed to closer military cooperation, in a move announced during a visit to Moscow by President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The two countries signed a 20-year “strategic partnership” treaty, covering areas from defense and technology to energy and trade.

Iran already supplies drones to Russia as well as, according to Western intelligence, ballistic missiles.

Russia has cultivated closer ties with Iran, as well as China and North Korea, since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

In the treaty, Russia and Iran committed to consult and cooperate to address military and security threats, as well as to participate in joint military exercises on their territories and beyond.

They also agreed not to allow their territories to be used for actions threatening the other side.

Iranian President Pezeshkian said the signing of the agreement meant that Russia and Iran were entering a new chapter in their relations.

Trade between the two countries could be significantly improved by greater cooperation in the energy sector.

At a joint news conference with his Iranian counterpart, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country was considering building new nuclear power plants in Iran.

Moscow is also seeking to sell part of its gas surpluses to Tehran. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the EU has significantly reduced its gas imports from Russia, prompting Moscow to recruit new customers.

The gas pipeline project between Russia and Iran, which the two countries are negotiating, will cross the territory of Azerbaijan if it is realized, the Interfax news agency reported on Friday, citing Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev.

Russia could eventually supply up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year to Iran, Putin said.