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Russia-Iran Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty

Simon Westwood, January 20, 2025

The Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have signed a landmark and historic deal that likely will have a long-lasting impact on the international relations.

Russia-Iran Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty

The Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian paid a state visit to Russia at a very important time when the United States is embracing a new president, the European nations are witnessing political shifts, and a ceasefire is underway between Israel and Hamas.
This overlapping of interests and strategic thought have naturally brought Russia and Iran even closer

At the same time, the international geopolitical environment is rapidly becoming multipolar, and the so-called unipolar world order led by the US and its allies is fading into the history. The Russia-Iran Comprehensive Strategic Partnership can be said as the building block of the multipolar world and an important instrument to fostering the cooperation between the likeminded nations. In this regard, the Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that “Iran is an important partner for us with which we are developing multifaceted co-operation.”

Russia-Iran Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty

On January 17, 2025, the Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the Russia-Iran Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The treaty is said to be a comprehensive strategy to enhance bilateral relations for the coming 20 years. Both nations have agreed to establish a legal framework for the further development of bilateral cooperation.

While citing the Russian as well as Iranian officials, the Russian news agency TASS reported that the treaty encompasses “all spheres, including defense, counter-terrorism, energy, finance, transport, industry, agriculture, culture, science and engineering.”

It indicates that Russia and Iran have geared up together to collectively face the challenges of the future. It also reveals that both have formalized a legal framework to bring their industries, businesses, and defence sector closer for a long-term partnership. Such a partnership could also result in joint efforts in the research and development, production sectors, and even joint military exercises.

Kazem Jalali, the Iranian Ambassador to Russia, argued that the treaty could only be made possible due to the diplomatic efforts made. Ambassador Jalali also said that this treaty would foster the partnership between the two nations. He criticized the West for interpreting such cooperation ventures as a threat to its unilateral and so-called unipolar approach.

Reuters reported that Russia and Iran have mutually agreed not to allow their territory to be used against each other, and also not to assist any aggressor attacking each of the two nations. Both have also agreed to share intelligence and security services. Russia’s Mir Network will now be fully connected to Iran’s SHETAB Banking System, which will enhance the payments systems between the two nations.

Iran’s Foreign Policy

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is the chief architect of his country’s foreign policy. He envisioned a foreign policy based on strengthening “the need to prioritize Eastern partnerships over Western alliances.” It is a welcome development that the incumbent Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has an inclination towards following the Supreme Leader’s vision, especially in relation to Iran’s foreign policy.

The Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Russia and Iran are major powers and their bilateral relations are emphasizing the contours of a new global order. Both, Russia and Iran have had a tense relationship during the Cold War; however, since the early 1990s, both nations are gradually cooperating and enhancing their bilateral relations.

It is understandable that Iran’s statecraft is determined to enhance Iran’s relations with countries like Russia and China. And, we may witness even closer bilateral relations between Russia and Iran in the foreseeable future.

International Geopolitical Environment

Russia is among the few countries who adopted a moral approach towards Israel’s aggression towards Palestinians, especially Israel’s intensive military operation in Gaza. Similarly, Russia’s stance on the Syrian government completely complied with the international law. It is surprising that Russia and Iran maintain similar moral stance on the rapidly changing situation in the Middle East. This overlapping of interests and strategic thought have naturally brought Russia and Iran even closer.

Analysis and Arguments

Russia and the North Korean signed a Mutual Defence Agreement last year. The agreement was signed between two sovereign nations and there is nothing wrong to do so in the eyes of the international law including agreements, treaties, conventions, and frameworks. However, like always, the West criticized such an agreement. Likewise, the historic treaty signed between Russia and Iran is under unnecessary criticism by the West. A French news website mocked the treaty and even called for a defence pact between the two nations.

The West views the deal with suspicion. However, in reality, the Western unjustified sanctions on Russia, as well as Iran, are bringing the two countries closer. The Iranians are worried about the sanctions on their oil and Russia could help Iran in building a nuclear power plant to fulfill Tehran’s energy needs.

The West and its allies provided all kinds of advanced weapons to Ukraine to attack Russian military as well as civilian targets. The West also continues to provide vital intelligence to Ukraine to guide its attacks. However, when Iran supplied drones and short-range missiles to Russia, the West began to do propaganda. This hypocrisy is unacceptable neither for Russia nor for Iran. Arguably, both countries need significant cooperation in the defence and military to combat their respective threats.

Conclusions

It is worth noting that President Putin lauded the treaty and said that it is “a real breakthrough, creating conditions for the stable and sustainable development of Russia, Iran and the entire region.” It is very important for Russia to enhance its bilateral relations with countries like Iran, India, Pakistan, and China. Such an active diplomacy is the cornerstone of multilateralism and putting out the illusion of unipolarity.

 

Simon Westwood – is a Masters student at the Dublin City University (DCU), Ireland. He is also a Research Assistant at the DCU’s Department of History

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