MOSCOW: Russia and Iran are preparing to sign a treaty that will enhance their defence cooperation, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
This military partnership raises significant concerns for the West, especially as Russia continues its war in Ukraine and Iran and Israel engage in missile exchanges in the Middle East.
Lavrov stated that the upcoming treaty on a comprehensive strategic partnership will significantly strengthen ties between the two nations and is expected to be signed soon. He indicated that Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian is likely to visit Moscow by the end of the year.
The treaty aims to confirm both countries’ commitment to closer defence collaboration and regional and global security interests, although Lavrov did not detail the specific nature of the defence ties.
Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, Russia has bolstered its relationships with Iran and North Korea, both of which are hostile toward the United States.
In June, President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a similar treaty that included a mutual defence clause, with reports suggesting that North Korea may have sent around 10,000 soldiers to Russia for potential deployment in Ukraine.
The U.S. has accused Iran of supplying close-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine and has imposed sanctions on vessels and companies involved in these transfers. While Tehran denies providing missiles or drones to Moscow, the Kremlin has acknowledged that their cooperation encompasses “the most sensitive areas,” though it has not confirmed the receipt of Iranian missiles.
