Seal the Deal: Russia and Iran to Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement
Moscow and Tehran are on the verge of signing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty. The Iranian leader is flying to the Russian capital for talks with the Russian president and the conclusion of an agreement that will replace the outdated agreements adopted in 2001. The convergence of the countries will take place on the eve of the inauguration of Donald Trump, which will be held on January 20. Details - in the material "Izvestia".
To Russia with love
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian plans to visit Moscow on January 17 to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, according to Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Russia Kazem Jalali.
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian
According to him, the heads of state plan to sign the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between the two countries during the visit. The agreement was ready in mid-November last year, but its adoption was postponed due to the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
In early December, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia and Iran "do not intend to delay the signing of the agreement." The Russian Foreign Ministry explained that the agreement, in particular, will affect the spheres of security and defense.
Ambassador Kazem Jalali noted that the treaty contains 47 articles and covers all spheres of bilateral cooperation. According to the diplomat, while drafting the document the main attention was paid to "balance, principles of sovereignty and respect for territorial integrity of the countries".
There was no such clause in the previous agreement of 2001. The treaty "covers political and economic interaction between the two countries, regional initiatives, as well as bilateral and multilateral efforts." In addition, the document pays attention to energy cooperation.
The Iranian ambassador noted progress in the implementation of key economic projects such as the North-South transport corridor, which remains a strategic priority for both countries.
The Iranian ambassador emphasized that Iran pursues an independent policy and "does not adhere to a bloc policy."
Long-term cooperation
The Tehran Times noted that Russia and Iran are "interested in strengthening an alliance to confront common challenges," particularly amid "a growing rift with the West, especially the United States, and amid political instability in West Asia."
"This partnership, driven by mutual interest in countering US influence, plays a key role in strategic areas such as the Caspian region, which further strengthens the bond between the two states. This strategic convergence of interests and positions has fostered rapprochement on several fronts, particularly evident in cooperation on Syria," the article said.
President Vladimir Putin and Iranian Ambassador to Russia Jalali Kazem at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council
Iran has become the third largest importer of Russian arms after India and China. According to the authors of the publication, Iran represents an attractive market for Russian goods and services, and the Russian Federation, in turn, seeks to develop closer cooperation between Tehran and members of the Eurasian Economic Union.
"For Iran, this union provides an opportunity to consolidate itself as one of the main transit routes for goods and services between the countries of the union and South Asia, with a special emphasis on India. Relations between Iran and Russia received a new impetus after the signing of $4 billion worth of contracts with various Russian companies," the publication reported, noting that energy companies from Russia in cooperation with their Chinese partners "have good opportunities for the development of Iran's energy sector."
It is rather symbolic that the agreement, the details of which the parties have been actively discussing recently, will be signed three days before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. During his first presidential term, he withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran between the six world powers and Tehran, and also tightened anti-Iran sanctions. It is possible that upon his return to the White House, the politician may take a tougher stance toward Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump
The Wall Street Journal, citing sources, reported that Trump is seriously considering preemptive strikes against Iran to "prevent the creation of nuclear weapons in the Islamic Republic".
What the experts think
- On the one hand, the signing of this treaty looks quite natural, given Iran's position on the Ukrainian crisis and its actions in this context. They were clearly aimed at supporting Russia," says Andrei Ontikov, an orientalist, publicist, and author of the Telegram channel "Eastern Gate". - In addition, the geographical factor is pushing the parties to sign the document. In addition, Iran's rapprochement with China and the formation of the Iran-China-Russia and possibly North Korea nexus continue.
According to political analysts, the conclusion of this agreement looks like a logical step after a number of others.
- On the other hand, the question is to what extent Russia will be able to fulfill the provisions of this agreement. In some cases, a number of clauses have been used against our country. Iran is rather weakened against the backdrop of events in the Middle East - the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria," the expert reminded Izvestia.
He emphasized that Donald Trump, who will soon return to the White House, is extremely anti-Iranian. Besides, Azerbaijan's claims to Armenia regarding the Zangezur corridor are of some concern, which directly hits Iran's interests, the expert noted.
He believes that if anti-Iranian conjuncture continues to develop in the Transcaucasus, in the Middle East, and forceful actions against Iran begin, Russia as a signatory of this agreement may face problems.
- This is if we take the minuses. But this is a signal to the Americans and, in particular, to the incoming administration that they have no illusions about Trump. All talks, including those about the end of the Ukrainian conflict, are perceived at this stage as nothing more than rhetoric," the analyst believes.
Ivan Glukhov, a researcher at the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies at the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, noted in a conversation with Izvestia that 2024 has become a time of tests for Iran. The collapse of the so-called axis of resistance, which included pro-Iranian movements in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria, has led to a significant weakening of Iran's position in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In his opinion, Iran's rapid retreat "could not but give its geopolitical opponents confidence that the moment has come for the next series of strikes aimed primarily at destabilizing the internal political situation in the Islamic Republic".
- Ethno-confessional contradictions in various regions of Iran may become one of the potential levers of influence. In this context, the exchange of sharp statements between representatives of Baku and Tehran, which took place in the first days of the new year, draws attention," the expert explained.
Iran, Tehran
The expert added that this was followed by reports about the activation of separatist sentiments in Ardabil, East and West Azerbaijan.
- Recent statements by the Iranian leadership indicate that the Islamic Republic is shifting to a defensive line in the implementation of its own foreign policy, betting on strengthening ties with allies in its own region and beyond in order to preserve domestic political stability, which will be of strategic importance for Iran in the coming years," the analyst believes.
According to Glukhov, the venerable age of Rahbar Ali Khamenei, foreign policy failures of the past years, coupled with the population's fatigue from socio-economic turmoil and sanctions pressure create an extremely explosive situation.
- It is crucial for the Iranian leadership to stabilize its own situation and strengthen ties with those allies who will be ready to provide real support in case of worsening crisis trends," the orientalist believes.
He is sure that this must be done before the new US administration formulates and implements its new Middle East policy, within the framework of which Iran is likely to be the main regional adversary.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Iranian President M. Pezeshkian, XVI BRICS Summit
- That is why the signing of the new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty with Russia looks very timely and significant," the political scientist emphasized.
The expert is sure that this document is also of high importance for the Russian Federation.
- The treaty will open up new opportunities for further expansion of trade and economic, cultural and scientific-educational cooperation, cooperation in the field of nuclear energy and gas supplies, realization of joint strategic logistics projects," the expert concluded.
