Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ibrahim Reissi, Tehran, Iran, 19 July 2022. Photo: AP
Iran and Russia are formalising a new level of strategic partnership that reflects their common interests in countering Western influence and ensuring stability in the region. According to The Moscow Times, the signing of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement will take place during Iranian President Massoud Peseshkian’s official visit to Moscow on 17 January.
The agreement covers key areas including transport, energy, defence and regional security. Both countries, which have long been under sanctions, are seeking to overcome economic challenges and create new opportunities for growth.
Key aspects of cooperation
- Energy and investment:
Russia is providing technical assistance to modernise Iran’s energy infrastructure, while Iran is becoming an important partner in securing energy flows to Asia. Russian investments in Iran’s energy sector are expected to strengthen its position in the region. - North-South transport corridor:
An infrastructure project connecting Iran, Russia, and other regional countries will serve as a basis for strengthening trade ties. This route will circumvent Western sanctions by providing efficient logistics between Europe and Asia. - Military cooperation:
The supply of Iranian drones, such as the Shahed-136, plays a key role in Russia’s military operations, especially in Ukraine. The joint production of these UAVs in Tatarstan demonstrates the depth of the two countries’ defence partnership.
Challenges of the partnership
Despite the strengthening of cooperation, the strategic alliance faces numerous obstacles:
- Economic difficulties: Iran and Russia suffer from sanctions that restrict their access to international markets. Iran additionally suffers from high inflation, which reaches 35%.
- Geopolitical differences: The history of cooperation between the two countries has seen periods of cooling, including due to Russia’s support for UN sanctions against Iran or delays in the delivery of S-300 systems.
Outlook.
Despite the challenges, the Iranian-Russian partnership is likely to grow stronger. Joint efforts in security, energy, and trade will have lasting implications for the region. At the same time, the success of this cooperation will depend on the ability of both countries to overcome domestic economic difficulties and maintain unity in strategic goals.
This alliance points to changes in global geopolitical dynamics, highlighting the growing role of non-standard alliances in shaping the global order.
