The Parliament of Iran approved a strategic association of 20 years on Wednesday between Moscow and Tehran, state media reported. The agreement represents a deepening bilateral ties, including narrower defense cooperation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Peeshkian signed the strategic association document on January 17.
The Russian legislative branch approved the pact in April. While the agreement does not include a mutual defense clause, it says that both countries will work together against common military threats, will develop their military technical cooperation and participate in joint exercises.
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in 2022, Iran and Russia have deepened military ties, and Western countries accuse Iran of providing missiles and drones for Russian attacks against Ukraine. Tehran denies providing weapons for Russian use in Ukraine.
The strategic pact also includes several clauses aimed at promoting the economic association, particularly when strengthening direct interbank cooperation and promoting its national financial products.
Last week, he reduced a free trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union led by Russia, reducing tariffs to boost trade between the two economies, which are under strong Western sanctions.
