Iran and Russia are working on a comprehensive deal for a strategic partnership, and high-level meetings have been taking place this week, Iran’s official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported Wednesday.
“The presidents of Iran and Russia are to sign a cooperation document during [Iranian President Masoud] Pezeshkian’s visit to Moscow on Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told IRNA on Tuesday,” the report said.
Iran and Russia have grown closer in recent years. This is not exactly a new relationship, as they have had ties going back decades. But in recent years, some things have changed.
Russia, Iran, and China want to work together to challenge the US-led world order. Iran is supplying Russia with drones to be used against Ukraine.
Russia and Iran have many things in common. They also both backed the Assad regime in Syria. The Assad regime fell from power on December 8.
This means that Russia and Iran need each other now more than ever. They are angling to position themselves before the incoming US administration of President-elect Donald Trump takes office next week.
What will a “comprehensive strategic partnership deal” entail? It aims to speed up “the growing cooperation between the Islamic Republic and Russia in the area of economy,” IRNA reported.
Furthermore, “like Russia’s recent agreement with North Korea, the upcoming deal with Iran will not harm any countries, [Lavrov] said, praising the constructive nature of the document,” the report said.
“On 17 January, [Russian President] Vladimir Putin will hold talks with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, who will come to Russia on an official visit,” the Kremlin said Monday.
Iran’s envoy to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, also highlighted the upcoming deal, saying it consists of 47 articles.
“According to the ambassador, Iran and Russia had signed a comprehensive agreement, approved by the Iranian Parliament in 2001, which was a 20-year accord that concluded in 2021,” IRNA reported. “The previous agreement was automatically extended for a five-year period, he said, adding that top authorities of both nations reached the consensus that it should be revised to address contemporary issues.”