Russia and Iran Sign 20-Year Strategic Partnership Agreement

The deal strengthens military, economic, and geopolitical ties as both nations seek to counter Western sanctions and adapt to shifting regional dynamics.

The agreement, signed in Moscow by Presidents Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian, includes cooperation in defense, trade, energy, and transportation, with provisions to avoid aiding aggressors against either nation.
The collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024 has driven both nations to deepen their alliance after losing a key regional ally.
The partnership builds on shared efforts to bypass Western sanctions, with Iran providing drones to Russia for use in Ukraine and both countries collaborating on the North-South Transport Corridor for trade.
Despite growing ties, the partnership stops short of a formal alliance, reflecting historical tensions and differing priorities, such as Iran’s nuclear ambitions and competition in Syria’s reconstruction.
The deal underscores both nations’ alignment against U.S.-led global influence, with Iran joining Russia in the BRICS bloc and seeking a multipolar world order.