Russia, Iran Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement

Vladimir Putin, Masoud Pezeshkian sign the agreement

Fri Jan 17 2025
icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp

MOSCOW: Russia and Iran signed a new treaty on Friday to enhance their economic and military cooperation, terming it a major milestone in bilateral ties.

President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the joint comprehensive strategic agreement in a ceremony in the Kremlin Palace on Friday.

The parties carry out customs cooperation, including the implementation of projects to create a simplified customs corridor, mutual recognition of the relevant institutions of the authorised economic operator,” the document says.

This will be done “to stimulate the formation of secure supply chains,” the document says.

Tass news agency reported that the cooperation also includes organisation of administrative cooperation and the exchange of customs information between their customs authorities.

Iran’s state news agency, IRNA said the agreement, consisting of 47 clauses, will open new opportunities for cooperation, especially economic relations between Tehran and Moscow.

The reason for the authorities of Tehran and Moscow to prioritise the signing of this treaty is that the previous agreement no longer accommodated the growing volume of relations between the two countries in various dimensions, said IRNA.

This truly breakthrough document is aimed at creating the necessary conditions for the stable and sustainable development of Russia and Iran and our entire Eurasian region,” Putin said.

Pezeshkian said the pact would “open a new chapter in relations between Iran and Russia in all fields, especially in the field of economic cooperation.”

The two sides agreed to enhance trade and economic cooperation across all sectors, a crucial move as both nations increase trade in response to significant Western sanctions on their energy industry.

“I would like to remind that war is not a suitable solution to solve problems and we welcome negotiations and achieving peace between the two countries of Russia and Ukraine,” Pezeshkian said.

ALSO READ: Trump Team Crafts Strategy for Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal

Moscow and Tehran had been negotiating a new treaty for years, with their prior relationship governed by a 2001 agreement that had been periodically renewed.

Ahead of a truce between Israel and Hamas set to take effect, Pezeshkian expressed hope that a “permanent ceasefire will be established in Gaza and the aggressions on this land will end.”

Putin also voiced hopes for “long-term stabilisation” in Gaza and urged the international community to continue efforts toward a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on international law.

Pezeshkian’s visit to Russia comes just days before Iran-hawk Donald Trump was set to return to the White House.

icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp