Vladimir Putin. Photo: Gavriil Grigorov / AP
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed an order on Wednesday to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with Iran, as Western sanctions intensify over alleged ballistic missile supplies to Moscow. The move, reported by EFE, is part of a broader initiative by Russia’s Foreign Ministry and the government.
According to Russia’s official legal information portal, Putin approved the proposal from the Foreign Ministry, which had been agreed upon at the highest governmental levels. The Russian foreign office had previously stated that the agreement was nearing its final stages of preparation.
Cooperation Despite International Pressure
During a meeting in Saint Petersburg last week with Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, General Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Putin underscored the stability of Russian-Iranian relations. He emphasized that since Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian took office, Tehran has maintained its priority of fostering cooperation with Moscow.
“We hope to finalize the strategic deal during President Pezeshkian’s visit to Kazan for the BRICS summit in October,” Putin remarked.
In addition, Putin conveyed his “warmest regards” to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, acknowledging that his leadership has infused new momentum into the partnership between the two nations in recent years.
Mutual Support Amid Sanctions
Despite a notable decline in trade volumes between the two countries in 2023, Putin highlighted a recovery in the first half of the year, with trade increasing by nearly 10%. The Kremlin continues to view Iran as a vital partner in critical sectors, despite the ongoing international sanctions.
Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Minister David Lammy accused Iran of supplying ballistic missiles to Russia, which could be used in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Blinken and Lammy warned that these transfers exacerbate the conflict on the battlefield.
A New Chapter in Russian-Iranian Relations
The signing of this strategic partnership between Russia and Iran marks a significant development in global geopolitics. Both countries are signaling their willingness to deepen cooperation under mounting Western sanctions, a move that could shift the balance of power both in the region and on the international stage.
