Russia and Iran move to strengthen military ties

Russia and Iran have reached an agreement to strengthen military cooperation. This move was announced during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's visit to Moscow. The two countries signed a 20-year "strategic partnership" treaty, covering multiple areas including defense, technology, energy, and trade.

Iran has already provided drones to Russia and, according to Western intelligence, has also supplied ballistic missiles. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has been strengthening its ties with Iran, China, and North Korea. In the treaty, Russia and Iran pledged to consult and cooperate on military and security threats, and to conduct joint military exercises in their respective territories and other regions.

The two countries also agreed not to allow their respective territories to be used for actions that threaten the other. Iranian President Pezeshkian stated that the signing of the agreement signifies a new chapter in the relationship between Russia and Iran. Further cooperation in the energy sector will significantly boost trade between the two nations.

At a joint press conference with the Iranian President, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia is considering building new nuclear power plant units in Iran. Moscow is also seeking to sell its surplus natural gas to Tehran. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the EU has significantly reduced its imports of natural gas from Russia, prompting Moscow to seek new customers.

Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev stated that if the planned gas pipeline from Russia to Iran is realized, it will be laid through the territory of Azerbaijan. Putin said that Russia could eventually supply up to 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year to Iran.