Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement today, which also includes cooperation in the areas of security and defence.
The signing ceremony took place in the Malachite Hall of the Kremlin, after several hours of negotiations between the delegations of both countries.
“Our country attaches great importance to further strengthening friendly and good-neighbourly relations between Russia and Iran,” Putin said, stressing that such cooperation is based on equality and mutual respect.
The head of the Kremlin, which has signed similar agreements with China and North Korea in recent years, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the negotiations with Pezeshkian, which he said took place in a constructive atmosphere.
He highlighted the increase in bilateral trade, energy agreements and Russia's commitment to build two new reactors at the Bushehr nuclear power plant.
He also stressed that Moscow and Tehran share positions on many international issues, including when it comes to dealing with unilateral Western sanctions.
In addition to bilateral issues, Putin and Pezeshkian discussed the crises in the Middle East, both in Syria and between Israel and Palestine.
Putin stressed that Moscow will continue to support Damascus in normalizing the situation in the country after the overthrow of Syrian leader Bashar al Assad, who went into exile in Russia in December., but added that it is the Syrians who must decide their future without outside interference.
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement was signed three days before the inauguration of US President Donald Trump.
However, both Moscow and Tehran have denied that they intend to forge a military alliance and that their agreement is directed against third countries.
They have also ruled out including a mutual assistance clause in the event of aggression, such as the one signed last year with North Korea.
Relations between Russia and Iran have been strengthening in recent years, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine, where Moscow has the support of Tehran, which is said to have supplied drones and even missiles to the Russian side, according to the West.
Another reason to overthrow the regime
And I'm not talking about attacking, I'm talking about invading.
There are places in Iran that would serve as air bases without too much trouble.
And I think they wouldn't stand the humiliation.
The curse is coming against Russia. For making a pact with Iran against Israel. The Lord of Hosts is with Israel.
Tyrants, corrupt and terrorists unite.