TEHRAN: Iran’s parliament on Wednesday approved a 20-year strategic partnership with Russia, state media reported.
The pact represents closer bilateral ties, including growing defence cooperation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, signed the strategic partnership document on January 17. The document was already ratified by Russia’s State Duma last month.
The parliament passed the pact with 191 votes in favour, eight against, and three abstentions among the 212 members present, Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported.
The treaty provides for joint efforts to counter common security threats but stops short of a mutual defence agreement.
Although the agreement does not contain a mutual defence clause, it affirms that both countries will collaborate to address common military threats, enhance military-technical cooperation, and participate in joint exercises.
Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, Iran and Russia have significantly deepened their military ties. Western nations have accused Iran of supplying missiles and drones for Russian operations in Ukraine—allegations that Tehran has consistently denied.
The strategic agreement also includes provisions to strengthen economic cooperation, particularly by expanding direct interbank collaboration and promoting the use of national financial instruments.
The ratification comes at a time when Iran has held four rounds of talks with the United States on a new nuclear deal.
A free trade deal between Iran and the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union went into effect last week to enhance trade ties between the two economies, which are both under heavy Western sanctions.
Russian President Putin has called the treaty a “breakthrough document”, while Pezeshkian said it would “open a new chapter in relations”. Iran and Russia have expanded military cooperation in recent years.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says Iran is considering whether to participate in the next round of talks with the United States, warning that excessive demands by Washington will jeopardise the diplomatic process.
“Enrichment will continue with or without an agreement. However, if the parties wish for transparency regarding Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, we are ready. However, in return, discussions must take place about the removal of the cruel sanctions imposed because of allegations about our nuclear program, and these sanctions must be lifted,” he said.
