Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Massoud Pezeshkian are due to sign a “comprehensive strategic partnership” in Russia on Friday, presented as a new stage in the growing alliance between the two countries.
Subject to international sanctions that restrict their trade, Russia and Iran have become close allies in recent years as their confrontation with the United States and Europeans has grown.
Tehran and Moscow want to be counterweights, with Beijing, to American influence. They have forged close ties in various sectors and support each other on numerous international issues, ranging from the Middle East to the conflict in Ukraine.
At the start of the week, the Kremlin confirmed that the two countries would strengthen this union with the signing on Friday of a “comprehensive strategic partnership agreement” by Vladimir Putin and Massoud Pezeshkian, on an official visit to Russia.
According to the Russian presidency, the two leaders will speak to the press after the signing.
Their meeting will take place a few days before the return to power in Washington of Donald Trump, architect of a so-called “maximum pressure” policy towards Iran during his first term (2017-2021).
Friday’s agreement will focus on “economic and trade cooperation in the fields of energy, environment and issues related to defense and security”, the Iranian embassy in Russia said last week.
“It is a step towards creating a more just and balanced world. Iran and Russia, aware of their historical responsibility, are building a new order,” wrote Abbas Araghchi, the head of Iranian diplomacy, in an article published by the Russian news agency Ria Novosti.
He affirmed that it was a question of replacing “hegemony” – implied by the West – with “cooperation”.
“Develop capabilities”
His Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, declared on Tuesday that this treaty aimed to “develop the capabilities” of the two countries, in particular to “ensure a reliable defense capacity”.
He argued that the text was “not directed against anyone” and that the West was “constantly” seeking to show that “Russia, Iran, China and North Korea are preparing something against someone.”
If the contours of this new treaty are still vague, Moscow concluded one bearing the same name with North Korea last year. An article in this text provides for “immediate military aid” in the event of armed aggression from a third country.
But the head of Iranian diplomacy, Abbas Araghchi, quoted by Russian media, affirmed this week that the treaty with Tehran was not aimed at “creating a military alliance” similar to that sealed between Moscow and Pyongyang.
North Korea is accused by kyiv and the West of having sent soldiers to fight with the Russian army against Ukrainian forces. Moscow and Pyongyang have neither confirmed nor denied.
Tehran, for its part, is accused by the West of supplying explosive drones and short-range missiles to Russia, thus helping the Russian army in Ukraine. Accusations rejected by Iran.
The last meeting between MM. Pezeshkian and Putin date back to October at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. Vladimir Putin then called for consolidating the “positive dynamic” regarding their economic cooperation.
Russia particularly wishes to develop a logistics corridor project (rail and maritime) between Moscow, Baku and Tehran, on a north-south axis.
Iran and Russia also have in common being allies of deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, overthrown on December 8 by an offensive by a coalition of rebels dominated by Islamists.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Massoud Pezeshkian are due to sign a “comprehensive strategic partnership” in Russia on Friday, presented as a new stage in the growing alliance between the two countries. Subject to international sanctions which restrict their trade, Russia and Iran have become in recent years…
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