Iran-Russia: Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Russia and Iran
January 17, 2025
Background of the Agreement
The preparation of the Russia-Iran Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty took three years, and the signing was postponed for a time due to the death of Iranian President Raisi in May 2024. In October 2024, Iranian President Pezhashyan agreed with Putin at the informal meeting of BRICS leaders in Kazan, Russia, to finalize the signing date of the treaty as soon as possible. [2]
On January 17, 2025, local time, Russia and Iran signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in Moscow. [1].
What Does Experts Think?
Zhang Hong, researcher at the Institute of Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said that “Russia and Iran’s upgrading of bilateral relations is a strategic consideration for both countries. The choice of signing at this time is a coincidence. Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, Russia has been gradually strengthening its relations with Iran. The two sides have been negotiating to upgrade bilateral relations. From the signing of this agreement, it can be seen that the cooperation between the two sides in the economic, strategic, regional, and cultural fields has made certain breakthroughs, and the cooperation between the two sides has reached a new level. Trump’s election as US president has, to some extent, prompted Iran to sign the agreement with Russia as soon as possible. Because Trump’s policy toward Iran is relatively tough, Russia and Iran formally signed the strategic agreement before Trump took office, which also helped to cope with the pressure and challenges from the United States. Even if Trump wants to promote peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, it is still difficult for Russia. Strengthening strategic relations with Iran will give Russia more voice and initiative to a certain extent. For Iran, in the face of a more complex situation in the Middle East, upgrading bilateral relations with Russia will also enhance external support. [2]
Significance of this Agreement
First, strengthening cooperation between Russia and Iran in security, economy, culture and diplomacy is beneficial to the development of both sides. Especially after the Syrian crisis, the direction of the new Syrian regime is uncertain, so strengthening cooperation between Russia and Iran will help enhance and consolidate the influence of the two countries in the Middle East.
Second, the upgrading of bilateral relations between Russia and Iran is conducive to economic cooperation between the two countries. Russia and Iran are both members of oil and gas producing countries of OPEC+, and both sides have recently promoted the construction of a natural gas pipeline from Russia to Iran.
Third, both Iran and Russia are now suffering from comprehensive sanctions and diplomatic isolation from the West. Strengthening strategic cooperation between them will to some extent enhance their ability to cope with Western pressure.
Fourth, the treaty signed by Russia and Iran is conducive to promoting regional stability. It is worth noting that the two sides did not sign a military alliance treaty, because the treaty text does not contain any content on military mutual assistance, except for strengthening military exercises and not cooperating with third parties to endanger each other’s security interests. This also shows that this treaty is, to some extent, a summary and improvement of the past Russian-Iranian relations, rather than a transformation into a military alliance. [2]
References
1. Russia and Iran sign a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty . Iran Jiemian News . 2025-01-17
2. Why are Russia and Iran upgrading their partnership? ．CCTV News ．2025-01-18