Iran, Russia Sign Strategic Partnership in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a 20-year strategic partnership treaty in Moscow that seeks to enhance military, economic, and cultural cooperation, amid increasing tensions with the West. The agreement, which lacks a mutual defense clause, includes commitments to joint military exercises, security collaboration, and economic partnerships, notably in the energy sector, such as a potential gas pipeline and nuclear power projects. This treaty is part of Russia's broader strategy to strengthen ties with countries like Iran, China, and North Korea following strained relations with the West due to the Ukraine conflict. Iran has already been supplying Russia with drones used in Ukraine, while the treaty also aims to counter Western sanctions affecting both nations. The timing coincides with President-elect Donald Trump's imminent return to the White House, potentially impacting US foreign policy stances. Both leaders emphasized the significance of this new chapter in bilateral relations, projecting it as a pivotal move for the stability and development of the broader Eurasian region.