President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran arrives in Moscow to sign cooperation treaty with Russia. Image: KGET.com
(The Post News)- On Friday, the president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Moscow. Reasons behind this meeting were for high-profile talks in order to solidify an alliance between both countries to challenge the West.
Iran and Russia strengthen their alliance, signing a strategic cooperation agreement to boost trade and finance amid Western sanctions. Iranian ambassador says Russia and Iran’s new agreement covers military issues but lacks a mutual defense clause.
Prior to the meeting, while speaking in the Kremlin, Putin classified Pezeshkian’s visit as important. This was because of the big, basic, comprehensive, strategic cooperation agreement that they anticipate signing.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov calls treaty signing a significant event, marking a strategic turning point for Russia. Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, posted on Telegram that the treaty isn’t only a key turning point that strengthens their bilateral ties. Araghchi said it is a roadmap to the future.
Furthermore, Peskov says the treaty signing’s timing wasn’t meant to divert attention from Donald Trump’s US presidential inauguration. Similarly, Araghchi stated on Iranian state television that the treaty signing had been scheduled months in advance, downplaying any connection to Trump’s inauguration.
According to U.S. and European officials, Iran has sent short-range ballistic missiles and drones to Russia to help the Kremlin’s war effort. Iran then denied these allegations.
North Korea signed a partnership agreement with Russia. In December, a security treaty with Belarus formalized the development of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in that country. Both these treaties had a mutual defense clause.
Russia heads the Collective Security Treaty Organization, comprising Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. The Collective Security Treaty Organization faces challenges, particularly with Armenia freezing its membership amid disputes over regional security.
Similarly, Iran faces challenges at home and in the region, with its militant allies weakened and the economy in disarray due to sanctions. Trump’s return to the presidency has the potential to bring more pressure and efforts by Washington to isolate Iran.
Moscow plans to build a railway through Iran, connecting Russia to Persian Gulf ports and facilitating gas exports. Araghchi says that Iran is becoming a major hub for gas exports.
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