Putin and Pezeshkian Sign 20-Year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Including Defense Cooperation

Jan 17, 2025, 02:28 PM

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Moscow on Friday, January 17, 2025, for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, culminating in the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement at the Kremlin. The 20-year treaty, which includes 47 articles and replaces the 2001 cooperation treaty, aims to bolster cooperation in areas such as defense, security, energy, trade, and infrastructure. The agreement stipulates that if one party is attacked, the other will not assist the aggressor, and it strengthens military and intelligence collaboration, including commitments to conduct joint military drills. Putin described the agreement as 'groundbreaking' and said it sets ambitious goals to develop bilateral relations. Pezeshkian highlighted that the treaty opens a new chapter in Iran-Russia cooperation. The two countries have nearly completely switched to national currencies in mutual settlements. The signing of the treaty comes three days before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.