Русский
President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran have been holding talks at the Kremlin on Friday (January 17) and have signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty.
According to officials from both counties, the document covers multiple areas, including defense, the fight against terrorism, the energy sector, finances, transport, industries, agriculture, culture, science and technology.
Russia and Iran were previously currently guided by the 2001 Treaty on the Foundations of Relations and Principles of Cooperation. It was concluded for ten years and automatically renewed for subsequent five-year periods. The new treaty will be in force until 2045.
Professor Ruhollah Modabber, an Iranian political scientist leading Russia expert, has stted to media that the new treaty would not only boost cooperation between the two countries but would also allow them to better resist US sanctions. The document also contains provisions on respect for each other’s territorial integrity.
According to the Kremlin, the treaty is in line with aspirations of both Moscow and Tehran and is not directed against the interests of other countries. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi noted that the treaty did not provide for the establishment of a defence alliance.
Both countries have given a high priority to the development of trade and economic ties. The latest trade data shows that bilateral trade rose by 15.5% to US$3.77 billion between January and October 2024, suggesting a total 2024 bilateral trade value of about US$4.52 billion.
The share of mutual currency in trade payments has also exceeded 96%, with the two countries having completely phased out use of the US dollar.
Joint investment projects are also going ahead, primarily in transport and energy. The first power unit of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran is now operational, with work underway to construct the second and third units. In transport, Iran is a key hub for the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) which assists Russian trade flows south through Iranian ports on the Caspian Sea to its ports on the Persian Gulf and onto the Middle East, East Africa, India and South Asia. Rail and road connectivity east leads to connectivity with Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The Russian Presidential press service stated “Close coordination between Russia and Iran on the international stage is based on common approaches, including commitment to building a just multipolar world order based on universally recognized principles of international law, equal and indivisible security, mutually beneficial and equitable cooperation between countries, the desire to pursue an independent foreign policy and determination to resist external pressure and the practice of illegitimate sanctions.”
The two countries also seek to boost humanitarian ties. The “Days of Russian Culture” exhibition are expected to take place in Iran later in 2025, while plans are being made to establish a Russian Cultural Center in Tehran. In education, 9,000 Iranian students are enrolled in Russian universities.
Further Reading
