In brief
In a significant move during President Masoud Pezeshkian's visit to Moscow, Russia and Iran solidified their alliance by signing a 20-year military cooperation treaty.
The two countries aim to boost security collaboration, including joint military exercises and energy trade, amidst shifting global alliances.Russia and Iran are stepping up their military cooperation by signing a groundbreaking 20-year strategic partnership treaty. This landmark agreement, signed during President Masoud Pezeshkian's visit to Moscow, covers key areas such as defense, technology, energy, and trade. Iran has been supplying Russia with drones and, as reported by Western intelligence, ballistic missiles, strengthening ties as Russia seeks close partnerships with Iran, China, and North Korea since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.The new treaty will have the two nations collaborating on military and security threats while agreeing to refrain from actions that jeopardize each other's safety. President Pezeshkian emphasized this agreement as a new chapter in Iranian-Russian relations.The partnership could lead to enhanced trade, particularly in the energy sector. During a shared press conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed plans for new nuclear power units in Iran and expressed intentions to sell surplus gas to Tehran. The EU's reduced gas imports from Russia due to the war in Ukraine have prompted Moscow to seek new customers.Negotiations are also underway on a proposed gas pipeline from Russia to Iran, set to run through Azerbaijan, which could facilitate the supply of up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia to Iran, according to Putin.
