On January 17, 2025, the presidents of Russia and Iran, Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian, respectively, signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Moscow. The signing of this agreement underscores the deepening of relations between the two countries, in the context of Western sanctions and pressure, highlighting an increasingly strong partnership based on common goals and challenges.
During a joint press conference after the signing, the leaders stressed that both sides are focused on deepening their cooperation in areas such as politics, security, trade, transport and energy. This agreement assumes particular importance amid tensions with the United States, which has imposed sanctions on both countries — Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and Iran over its nuclear program and support for armed groups in the Middle East.
The core of the strategic agreement is a mutual defense pact, under which both countries will not provide assistance to the aggressor in the event of an attack on either side. This provision highlights the growing military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran, particularly in Syria, where they have supported the Assad regime against various opposition forces.
Putin also highlighted plans to deliver natural gas to Iran, with bilateral supplies potentially reaching 55 billion cubic meters per year. However, he acknowledged that there is some inertia in completing nuclear projects in Iran, noting that talks on additional construction are underway to make up for the delays. This reflects the energy strategy that the two countries intend to promote in an environment facing economic dilemmas.
During the press conference, Pezeshkian expressed his desire for a negotiated solution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and for Western countries to respect the security interests of other nations. His comments are part of a broader sense by both sides to try to find stability in a region that has long been targeted by external interference.
The timing of the deal is significant, coming just days before Donald Trump’s expected return to the White House. The deal’s drafting comes as a bilateral response to fears that the US might shift its focus to reconstruction efforts in Ukraine amid the conflict and increase pressure on countries like Iran, or to fears that Washington could further expand its sanctions policy against the Islamic Republic.
The one-hour delay in Putin’s arrival for the meeting, which Pezeshkian and his entourage had been expecting, has been described as deliberate psychological warfare on Putin’s part, underscoring the minutiae of international diplomacy and how certain gestures and timing still matter.
In conclusion, this agreement highlights the growth of relations between Russia and Iran under similar geopolitical conditions and external threats. More generally, the Russian Federation’s policy of cooperation in the Middle East and Asia, elevates it to a leading power.
With the U.S. relations with China, Turkey, and Iran becoming increasingly volatile, both countries are seizing this opportunity to strengthen their ties for mutual economic and security needs, which will have an impact on the Middle East and, indeed, the entire world.
